DIGITAL VISIBILITY
Google moves the links
up in AI answers
Google moves the links
up in AI answers
On 15 October, Google announced several changes to AI Mode and AI Overviews meant to send more users on to the websites the answers are built on. The changes were presented in a blog post by Hema Budaraju, product director at Google Search, according to9to5Google.
What is changing
Inline links within the text appear higher up and more often in the answers.
The links at the bottom of the answer get thumbnails and a more clickable design.
The preferred sources carousel for fresh news is rolling out in more countries and languages.
Test:a dedicated section at the top of some answers with one or two official websites where the user can complete the task or find the exact information.
Test:clickable names of creators and publishers on video results in AI Mode.
Google still shares no click data
Google does not say how much more often the links will appear, and still does not share click data from AI Mode and AI Overviews. Nor has it said how Google decides what counts as an official website, or when the test might be expanded. Until the numbers arrive, your own data in Search Console is what shows whether the change brings you more visits.
Our take
More links higher up is positive. The fundamentals still stand, though: AI answers take many of the clicks that used to go to regular search results.
The test with official websites is the most interesting one for brands. If Google is going to point to you as the place to order, book or get in touch, it has to be clear that you are the official source. That means clean pages for the most important tasks, structured data and an up-to-date Google Business Profile.
Read more aboutAI visibility,local SEOandhow to find the pages losing clicks to AI Overviews.
Sources:9to5Google, 15 October 2026andPPC Land, 18 October 2026.
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