Full Breakdown
Google Expands Inline Links in AI Search Modes
By Drooid · · How we work
What Google Changed
Google announced a series of updates to the way links appear in its AI-generated responses, known as AI Mode and AI Overviews. The company is now placing one or two “right web page” links higher in the answer block for queries that merit a specific source. Inline links are being added more frequently throughout the response, and a new “Dive Deeper” section features larger thumbnails and a more clickable design. Carousels of timely articles are expanding to additional regions and languages, and publisher or creator names in video results link to searchable profile pages.
Background and Context
AI Mode and AI Overviews replace the traditional list of search results with a customized answer view. Google has been iterating on this format to balance quick answers with traffic to original publishers. Earlier this year the company introduced “Preferred Sources,” allowing users to select sites they trust for AI answers.
Data and Statistics
- Use of Preferred Sources has risen by a factor of seven since the start of the year, according to Google’s own metrics.
- More than 400 news publishers worldwide now participate in Google’s News AI pilot licensing program, which compensates them for the use of enhanced content in AI features.
Official Statements and Responses
The company also noted that it is working with website owners to determine which metrics will be most useful, promising to add additional performance data over time.