Google Changes Links and Sources in AI Search

Google is changing how links and publisher information appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode, aiming to make it easier for users to find websites behind AI-generated answers. The announced updates include higher placement for some inline links, more prominent end-of-response links, an expansion of timely-news carousels and tests of new link features. Google says inline links will appear higher in AI responses more frequently, bringing cited websites closer to relevant information. Links at the ends of some responses will gain image thumbnails and a more prominent design. The company has not quantified how often inline links will move higher. Google is also testing a section at the top of some AI responses that directs users to official websites for specific tasks. The section is intended for searches where one or two official sources may provide the information or service sought. Google says the display will include context about why the links may be useful. The company is expanding carousels of timely articles to additional regions and languages. The carousels will feature users’ Preferred Sources, a setting that lets people select websites they want to see more often in Search....