Some AI answers may now start with links as Google makes inline sources more prominent in responses
Links move higher in answers
Google says inline links will appear higher in AI Mode and AI Overviews more frequently. The company says the changes are intended to make key sources easy to click when users need them.
AI search presents answers in a customized view rather than the traditional list of links. Publishers have raised concerns that this format could reduce traffic to their sites. Google says it has continued to increase the presence of inline links in its AI experiences.
More ways to find sources
Google is testing links at the top of responses for certain tasks or information needs, with context. One example shown by the company features a query about an airline refund.
The company is expanding link carousels for timely articles to more locations and languages. Links at the end of a query are also getting image thumbnails and a more clickable design, while Google tests clickable links to publisher and creator search profiles in AI Mode.
Publishers join AI pilot
Google says more than 400 publishers are participating in its News AI pilot, announced in December. The licensing program pays publishers for providing and using enhanced content to develop AI features.
Those features include in-depth article overviews on Google News publisher pages. Axios, CNN, and the Financial Times are among the newly onboarded partners, according to Google.
Key points
- Google plans to show inline links higher in AI Mode and AI Overviews more often.
- The company is testing links at the top of some AI responses and clickable publisher profiles.
- Link carousels for timely articles are expanding to more locations and languages.
- More than 400 publishers are in Google’s News AI pilot program.