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Google is introducing changes to its AI search results to make website links and news articles easier to find. The move comes as news publishers and online businesses raise concerns about declining website traffic as more users rely on AI-generated answers instead of opening individual websites.
The company announced on Thursday that it would display links more frequently and place them higher in AI-generated search results. The changes aim to help users discover original sources and encourage them to visit websites for more information.
Google to Make News Articles and Website Links More Visible in AI Search
Google has gradually expanded artificial intelligence features in its search engine over the past two years. In May 2024, the company introduced AI Overviews, which provide summarised answers to users’ questions instead of relying only on traditional search links.
In March 2025, Google introduced AI Mode, a separate search experience that offers more detailed responses and additional links to relevant sources.
Under the latest changes, Google will show contextual links more frequently and place them more prominently within AI-generated content. This could make it easier for users to find news reports, articles, and other websites related to their searches.
Google will also expand its link carousel worldwide. The feature displays cards with headlines and images from relevant articles directly below AI Overviews.
Preferred Sources and Social Media Content
Google will give greater attention to articles published by websites that users have selected as preferred sources. This approach could help users find content from publications they already trust or regularly follow.
The company also plans to include relevant posts from social media platforms and online forums in its search results. This could give users access to a wider range of perspectives and discussions alongside traditional news articles.
Google will also make links appearing at the end of AI-generated summaries more noticeable and engaging. These changes are intended to encourage users to explore original sources when they want more detailed information.
News Publishers Face Declining Website Traffic
The changes come as publishers express growing concerns about the impact of AI-powered search on their audience numbers.
AI-generated summaries allow users to find answers without visiting the websites that provide the underlying information. As a result, some publishers have reported fewer clicks from search results.
According to a report by consultancy Chartbeat, news publishers experienced a 40% decline in traffic from Google between July 2025 and July 2026.
The issue has also raised concerns among media organisations in Europe. In August, Apig, a group representing daily newspapers in France, approached the country’s Competition Authority over Google’s AI summaries. The group argued that the summaries violated agreements reached with news publishers in 2022.
Google’s AI Search Continues to Grow
Google’s AI search features have reached a large global audience. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said during the company’s second-quarter 2025 earnings results that AI Overviews had more than two billion monthly users across over 200 countries.
However, the growing use of AI summaries has created challenges for websites that depend on search traffic to reach readers and generate revenue.
By making links more visible, Google could help users discover original articles while addressing some of publishers’ concerns. However, it remains to be seen whether the changes will lead to a meaningful recovery in website traffic.
For news organisations and other online publishers, the key question is whether improved link visibility will encourage more users to click through to the original content rather than relying solely on AI-generated answers.
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