Google makes links more visible in AI Overviews and AI Mode
The change could impact how publishers receive traffic from AI-powered results
Google is changing how links appear inside its AI-powered search experiences. Robby Stein, VP of product for Search, shared on X that AI Overviews and AI Mode will now surface groups of source links in a hover pop-up on desktop. Each link will include a short description and an image.
What users will see in AI Overviews and AI Mode
According to a screenshot shared by Stein, a desktop Google Search result now shows an AI Overview with small clusters of link icons placed next to specific statements inside the AI-generated answer. When a user hovers over one of those link clusters, a rectangular pop-up appears on the right side of the screen. Inside that pop-up, multiple source links are listed vertically.
Each link displays the publisher or site name, a short descriptive line about what the page contains, and a thumbnail image. This allows users to see what a page is about before clicking, rather than being sent directly to a source with no context.
Google says link icons inside AI-generated responses will also become more prominent on both desktop and mobile.
Part of a broader shift in AI search design
This change builds on Google’s earlier rollout of AI Overviews and AI Mode, which introduced AI-generated summaries directly into Search. Since those launches, publishers and marketers have raised concerns about reduced click-through to websites when answers are presented upfront. The company has also faced regulatory and industry scrutiny over how AI search features use publisher content. Making links more visible could be a response to those concerns.
Recap
How does Google's new link display work in AI Overviews?
Google now shows groups of source links in hover pop-ups on desktop AI Overviews and AI Mode. Each link includes the publisher name, a description, and thumbnail image for context before clicking.
What information appears with links in Google's AI search results?
Each link displays the publisher or site name, a short descriptive line about the page content, and a thumbnail image. This provides users context about what they'll find before clicking through.
Why did Google make links more visible in AI-powered search?
Google made this change in response to publisher concerns about reduced website traffic from AI search features. The company faced scrutiny over how AI Overviews use publisher content without driving clicks.