Have you noticed a change in how Google displays links and citations in its AI search features? I recently learned about five key updates that aim to enhance our experience with AI Mode and AI Overviews.
According to Hema Budaraju, VP, Product Management at Google, these upgrades are designed to help us connect with authentic voices and access valuable information across the web. She detailed these updates in a recent article.
Let’s dive into the updates rolling out:
(1) Suggested angles at the end of AI responses. Google now suggests further reading options at the end of AI responses. These link to unique articles or analyses that deepen our understanding of the topic. It’s like having a roadmap to satisfy our curiosity!
Here’s a preview of this feature:
(2) Easier access to your news subscriptions. With this update, Google displays links from our news subscriptions prominently. This means I can quickly access content I trust, maximizing the value of my subscriptions. During Google’s early tests, these subscription links significantly boosted click-through rates.
If you’re a publisher, check out the documentation to enable this feature.
Here’s what this looks like in action:
(3) Social media and online discussions now include creator details. When AI features cite social media, Google includes not only the website’s name but also the creator’s name, handle, and community name. This transparency helps me spot firsthand sources at a glance.
Here’s a glimpse of how this plays out:
(4) More links, next to relevant text. Google is increasing the number of links shown directly within AI responses, strategically placing them next to relevant text. This makes it tempting for me to explore these sources further.
Here’s what it looks like:
(5) Hover over inline links for a quick look. Now when I hover over an inline link in Google’s AI features, I get a sneak peek of the website. This could just be the nudge I need to click through and explore further. I remember seeing Google test this back in February and thought it was a brilliant idea.
Here’s an example of the feature:
Why this matters. Google is committed to ongoing testing and refinements, ensuring these features serve us better. I truly believe these changes will promote more engagement with the cited pages, presenting an exciting step forward for both users and the web ecosystem. The real question is, will they meet my expectations?
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
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