Google elevates source links and news carousels across AI Search
Google is updating AI Overviews and AI Mode to display source links higher and more frequently within answers, while expanding news carousels and rolling out Preferred Sources globally.
Google announced on October 15 that inline links pointing to source websites will appear more prominently and higher up in AI Overviews and AI Mode responses. The updates are designed to help users explore original reporting and navigate to the web pages behind AI-generated answers, according to reports from The Verge and Analytics Insight.[1][2][3][4][5]
As part of the shift, Google is expanding news carousels, rolling out its Preferred Sources feature globally, and testing clickable creator and publisher profiles alongside a top section reserved for official sites. Interface designs shared online highlight an AI Overview format with a dedicated "Dive Deeper" link area, while AI Mode features dedicated media tabs and a "Quick results from the web" section. According to AGTP, usage of Preferred Sources—which lets searchers select trusted sites in their settings—has climbed more than sevenfold since January, with 345,000 sources chosen as of May.[1][2][3]
Despite the increased visibility, Google did not provide a timeline for its official-site tests, nor did it share click-through data or disclose what proportion of AI responses will include inline links. Search engine optimization specialists also note that Google Search Console's AI reporting continues to track impressions only, leaving website publishers unable to measure how many users click through from AI answers.[1]
Key facts
- Google announced that inline source links will appear higher up and more frequently in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- The updates include expanded news carousels, related article links, clearer source context, and tests of clickable publisher and creator profiles.
- Shared interface designs show a "Dive Deeper" link section in AI Overviews and "Quick results from the web" links alongside tabs in AI Mode.
- Google is expanding Preferred Sources carousels globally and testing a top section of official websites in AI responses.
- Preferred Sources usage has grown more than 7x since January, with 345,000 sources selected as of May.
- Google did not provide click-through data, an official-site rollout timeline, or the share of responses featuring inline links.
- Google Search Console's AI performance report provides impressions data only, without click-through counts for publishers.
Sources · 5 sources
- AG
AGTP@AGTPinsightsPost on X ·
Google just moved links higher in AI Overviews and AI Mode. Here's what you need to know. Google announced on October 15 that inline links to sources will now show higher up in AI answers, and more often. The change applies to both AI Overviews and AI Mode. Google is also expanding the carousels that highlight a user's Preferred Sources, and the carousel is going global. It is testing a top section of official sites in AI responses too. News carousels are expanding, and AI Mode is adding creator and publisher profile links. Preferred Sources let users label the sites they trust in settings. Google says use of the feature is up more than 7x since January. In May, users had picked 345,000 Preferred Sources. Key numbers: - Preferred Sources use: up more than 7x since January - Sources selected as of May: 345,000 - Click-through data shared: none - Timeline for the official-sites test: none - Share of responses with inline links: not disclosed SEOs note that Google's reports still show no click data from AI answers. Search Console's AI report covers impressions only, so sites can't see how many people actually click through.
Open source - ㆅ
ㆅ@howfxrPost on X ·
Google is updating AI Mode and AI Overviews in Search with more prominent inline links, clearer source context, news carousels and related article links to help users explore the web. 🧵 https://t.co/Bq7fEoiBl2
Open source - AI
Analytics Insight@analyticsinmePost on X ·
𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞, 𝐀𝐈 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 🚨 Google Search Is Changing the AI Search Game! Google is making links more prominent in AI Mode and AI Overviews, expanding news carousels and testing clickable publisher and creator profiles. The goal? Help users discover original reporting instead of relying only on AI-generated answers. But will these changes drive more traffic to news websites? The digital publishing battle is heating up! 🔥 #GoogleSearch #AIMode #AIOverviews #GoogleAI #SEO #DigitalPublishing #TechNews #analyticsinsight #analyticsinsightmagazine Read More 👇 https://t.co/aiaIt0v5W1
Open source - BT
Business Today@business_todayPost on X ·
#TechToday | Google AI Search now makes it easier to find the websites behind its answers: Here’s how https://t.co/1bKJgQbl9O
Open source - TV
The Verge@vergePost on X ·
Links will appear ‘higher up in responses more frequently’ in Google’s AI Mode and AI Overviews. https://t.co/D06fi4pBEL
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