By CIO Insider Team
 

Google revealed that it will begin showcasing links to websites and articles more prominently and higher in search results driven by artificial intelligence (AI), as brands and news publishers report a significant drop in their traffic.

The Alphabet subsidiary started incorporating additional AI functionalities into its search results more than two years ago.

In May 2024, Google introduced AI Overviews, which provide summarized responses to search queries instead of only displaying links as it traditionally has.

In March 2025, Google introduced AI Mode, which launches in a new window and offers a broader answer along with additional links compared to AI Overviews.

Contextual links will be included "more often" and positioned higher in AI-generated search results.

Google will also broaden its global link "carousel," featuring cards situated just beneath AI Overviews that display headlines along with images for pertinent articles.

The algorithm will focus on articles from websites that a user has marked as "preferred sources," while also being able to incorporate content from pertinent social media posts and additional discussion boards.

Google will enhance the visibility and appeal of links shown at the conclusion of AI-generated summaries for users interested in exploring further.

In its second quarter 2025 report, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced that AI Overviews reached over two billion monthly users across more than 200 nations.

Numerous studies indicate that substituting conventional searches with AI-generated summaries greatly lowers the frequency with which users click on the recommended links.

Also Read: India's Deep-Tech Revolution: 10 AI Startups Driving Innovation