Google Makes Inline Links More Prominent in AI Search Results

Google is adjusting how its AI search results are displayed, placing inline links more frequently near the top of answers. The company says it has been steadily and significantly increasing the display of inline links in AI experiences, and this change aims to ensure key sources are easy to click when needed. Beyond moving links up, Google is testing showing relevant links at the top of answers with contextual explanations, for cases where only a few sources exist for a task or specific information. The link carousel announced in May will expand to more positions and languages, and links at the end of queries will get image thumbnails and easier-to-click designs. Google is also testing clickable links to publishers' and creators' search profile pages in AI Mode. Google also said over 400 publishers have joined its News AI pilot program announced last December, with Axios, CNN, and the Financial Times as new partners. For news sites and content publishers dependent on search engine traffic, having links placed higher and more prominently could bring more clicks, but AI search results have long been criticized for reducing publisher traffic. Whether this adjustment truly changes traffic distribution remains to be seen.