Google boosts news and link visibility in AI mode

Google announced plans to enhance link visibility in AI-powered search results on Thursday. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that AI Overviews, powered by artificial intelligence, have garnered over two billion monthly users across more than 200 countries. The integration of AI features in search results began over two years ago, with the introduction of AI Overviews in May 2024, which generated summarized answers instead of merely displaying links.

In March 2025, Google added AI Mode, offering more comprehensive answers and additional links in a separate window. Now, contextual links will be prominently featured higher up and more frequently in AI-generated search content. Google will prioritize articles from users' previously identified preferred sources and incorporate content from social media posts and forums.

Moreover, the algorithm will make links at the end of AI-generated summaries more engaging and prominent, encouraging users to explore further. During its Q2 2025 results, Pichai highlighted AI Overviews' user base of over two billion in 200+ countries. However, several studies indicate that replacing traditional search with AI summaries significantly reduces the likelihood of users opening suggested links.

A report by Chartbeat revealed a 40% decline in traffic to news website publishers from Google between July 2025 and July 2026. Apig, a group representing daily newspapers in France, warned the Competition Authority in August that AI summaries potentially violate agreements made with news publishers in 2022.