Google has announced changes to its AI-powered Search features, including AI Mode and AI Overviews, to make links to news articles and websites more visible within AI-generated responses. The update comes amid concerns from publishers and brands over declining referral traffic as users increasingly receive information directly through AI-generated summaries.
Announced on October 15, the changes will position contextual links higher within AI responses and display them more frequently. Google said the updates are intended to make it easier for users to access original sources while navigating AI-generated information.
The company is also expanding its news carousel feature to additional countries and languages. These carousels display relevant articles with headlines and images, allowing users to explore coverage from different publications.
Google's Preferred Sources feature will receive greater visibility within these carousels, highlighting articles from publications that users have selected. According to the company, the number of people using Preferred Sources has increased more than sevenfold since the beginning of 2026.
Another update involves testing a dedicated section at the top of certain AI responses that highlights one or two official websites relevant to a user's query. The section will provide additional context explaining why those links may be useful.
Google is also redesigning links displayed at the end of some AI-generated responses by introducing image thumbnails and more prominent layouts. The company said these changes are intended to encourage users to explore related articles and additional information.
Additionally, Google has begun testing clickable names for publishers and creators appearing in video search results. These links will direct users to Search profiles containing information about their work and published content.
The announcement follows growing scrutiny of AI-powered search and its impact on website traffic. Google's AI Overviews, introduced in May 2024, generate summaries directly within search results, while AI Mode, launched in March 2025, provides more comprehensive conversational responses.
According to a report by analytics company Chartbeat, news publishers experienced a 40% decline in traffic originating from Google between July 2025 and July 2026. The findings have contributed to wider discussions about how AI-generated answers affect visits to original publisher websites.
Google has maintained that its AI-powered Search features are designed to help users discover relevant information and explore content across the web.
The company has also expanded its commercial arrangements with news publishers. More than 400 publications globally now participate in Google's News AI pilot programme, which provides compensation for enhanced content used in developing AI-related features.
The latest changes introduce additional ways for publishers and creators to appear within Google's AI-generated search experiences. However, the company has not disclosed whether the updated link placements will result in increased referral traffic.
Google said it will continue refining these features based on user engagement and feedback as the rollout progresses.
Reporting verified against Google's October 15 official announcement and October 16 coverage of publisher traffic trends.
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