Based on 2026 data, here is a ranking of Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) elements, ordered by their likely click-through rate (CTR), from highest to lowest: Snippet (Position 1): ~42.9% #1 Organic Result: ~39.8% AI Overview (Position 1): ~38.9% AI Overview (Position 2): ~29.5% Snippet (Position 2): ~27.4% Ad Result: ~1.2 – 2.1% Key Takeaways:
Top Positions Rule: The first organic result or top snippet captures the vast majority of clicks.
AI Overview Influence: Position 1 within an AI Overview is highly valuable (38.9% CTR), almost rivaling the top traditional organic result.
Ad CTR: Paid search ads generally have a significantly lower CTR (around 2% or less) compared to organic results. CTR Formula: Remember that CTR is calculated as
ClicksImpressionsthe fraction with numerator Clicks and denominator Impressions end-fraction
Note: CTR varies depending on search intent and competition, and a high CTR on low impressions suggests a niche, highly relevant audience. If you are trying to optimize, I can:
Tell you which elements are best for informational queries vs. transactional queries Suggest ways to improve your CTR for the #2 or #3 spot
Explain how to increase your chance of appearing in an AI Overview Let me know what your goal is! Clickthrough rate (CTR): Definition – Google Ads Help