How LLM-powered answers are set to steal 75% of search traffic by 2028
Search as we know it is being ripped up and rewritten. Rather than users typing queries into Google and clicking through to a website, more and more shoppers are asking the likes of ChatGPT, Claude and Google’s new AI Overviews for direct answers.
According to Exploding Topics, AI-powered search is predicted to capture a whopping 75% of global search traffic by 2028. Even more startling — 43% of LLM searches result in zero clicks. That means the game is no longer about ranking… it’s about being mentioned in the answer.
If you’re a UK dealership or automotive marketer, the question is no longer “How do we rank on Google?” — it’s “Will AI mention us when buyers ask it what to buy?”
Car buyers are already searching differently
The typical UK car buyer now takes 48 days to make a decision and uses 4+ different websites along the way. Younger buyers (25–44) are even more digitally driven — often heading straight to platforms like ChatGPT, TikTok, Insta or review sites and forums for initial research.
EV shoppers typically research longer (52 days vs 45 days for ICE), leaning heavily on online guidance and social-led validation. These buyers are no longer stumbling across “dealer blogs” — they’re interrogating AI tools for expert answers.
Why “no click” doesn’t mean “no opportunity”
While AI often answers buyers' questions directly (without sending traffic to your website), brands that get cited within those responses enjoy:
- Massive authority-building exposure
- A much more ready-to-convert audience — LLM-driven clicks are 4.4× more likely to convert than traditional organic SERP clicks.
- A head start in a rapidly evolving search landscape
In other words: being named is now more powerful than being ranked.
How UK dealerships stay visible in the era of AI search
1. Create content that’s comparison-rich and niche-specific
- Swap generic SEO articles for highly specific, question-based guides
- “Plug-in hybrid vs full hybrid — true running costs at 15,000 miles (UK 2025 fuel prices)”
- “Best SUVs under £20k for families with teenagers – 2025 ranked list”
These are the types of queries buyers are firing at AI tools — and the kind of content that LLMs love citing.
2. Go after mentions, not just backlinks
LLMs pull credibility from brand citations in articles, customer forums, and digital PR coverage — even when those mentions don’t include a link.
Focus on:
- Appearing in owner review sites
- Getting quoted in UK motoring press releases and blogs
- Encouraging genuine user-generated content (reviews, testimonials, discussions)
3. Monitor what AI is saying about you
Tools like SEMrush AI SEO Toolkit let you actively track when your dealership gets mentioned by AI engines, analyse sentiment (“helpful recommendation” vs “avoid this dealer”), and spot opportunities.
4. Lead with expertise — not inventory
Yes, you sell cars. But what AI wants is trusted guidance. So, position your brand like a helpful expert by answering questions most buyers are too afraid to ask:
- “Is PCP actually the cheapest way to finance a car?”
- “What EVs will hold value when road tax kicks in from 2026?”
Content ideas to steal immediately – and it’s FREE
Topic Type Example Headline
- Comparison “Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage – which is cheaper to run over 50,000 miles?”
- Guidance “First-time EV buyer? 7 questions you must ask your dealer (UK 2025 update)”
- Fear-busting “Will my hybrid be worthless by 2030? Realistic resale predictions for UK drivers”
The takeaway
AI isn’t some sci-fi trend — it’s silently reshaping how UK car buyers discover, research and trust brands. Google search may not be dead… but it’s definitely no longer your only battlefield.
To win in 2025 and beyond, UK dealerships must shift from obsessing over rankings to becoming the brand AI can’t stop mentioning.
