Google announced several updates to how AI Mode and AI Overviews display links to source websites. The changes aim to make it easier for users to find and click through to the original web pages behind AI-generated answers.
The biggest change adds a section at the top of some AI responses. This section highlights one or two links that point users to the “right web page” for their query. Google designed it specifically for searches that need a specific task or exact information. Additionally, the company moved more inline links higher within responses overall.
Google also expanded its timely news carousels to more regions and languages worldwide. These carousels now highlight sources from Google’s Preferred Sources program. According to Google, the number of users who select Preferred Sources has grown 7x since the start of the year.
Furthermore, Google redesigned its “Dive Deeper” section with a more prominent layout. Related article links now show image thumbnails and a more clickable design. The company also started testing clickable publisher and creator names on videos in AI Mode. However, these links first take users to the creator’s Google Search profile page rather than directly to the publisher’s website.
These updates follow a similar round of changes from May 2026. Back then, Google added suggested next steps, subscription link labels, creator attribution for social content, more inline links, and desktop hover previews.
Still, some SEO experts remain skeptical about whether more links actually drive more clicks. Search Engine Roundtable’s Barry Schwartz argued that Google should add click data to its AI performance reports. He also called clicks “the most important metric” for publishers. In response, Google said it continues to “work with website owners” on useful insights and will “introduce additional metrics over time.”
Google currently works with over 400 publications worldwide through its News AI pilot licensing program. Under this program, Google pays publishers for enhanced content that appears in its AI features.
