Google AI Mode Updates with Enhanced Source Links
Google is planning to enhance its AI-powered search feature, known as AI Mode, to offer more in-line links to the sources from which it derives information. This development is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving how the company interacts with sources, integrating AI-generated snippets that explain the relevance of these links.
In a demonstrative example shared by Google, the AI Mode will now present descriptions of pertinent sources directly above the carousel displaying the links. One such description states: “These articles suggest budget-friendly decor ideas, including secondhand shopping, architectural updates like molding and hardware swaps, and DIY projects to achieve a vintage look.” This clarity aims to enhance user engagement by providing context upfront.
This announcement comes shortly after the European Commission initiated an investigation into Google’s practices concerning the use of content from web publishers in its AI features, raising concerns about potential violations of competition rules regarding appropriate compensation. Amidst these scrutiny, Google has contested a previous study that suggested users were “less likely” to click on links when an AI Overview was present, asserting that engagement metrics have remained “relatively stable.” This highlights the complexities of using AI in enhancing search functionalities while managing publisher relations.
Furthermore, Google has launched a pilot program collaborating with several prominent publishers, such as The Guardian and The Washington Post, to explore the potential of AI in fostering more engaged audiences. One of the ongoing experiments involves showcasing AI-written overviews of articles within Google News, in addition to working with The Associated Press to deliver real-time updates through the Gemini app.
Additionally, Google’s latest efforts include expanding access to “preferred sources” globally, enabling English-speaking users to tailor the news outlets featured in the top stories of the search engine. There’s also a forthcoming feature that will emphasize links from users’ news subscriptions, organized within a dedicated carousel designed to streamline access to preferred content. Google has stated this update will be deployed in the Gemini app in the upcoming weeks prior to its introduction in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Another notable enhancement involves an update to the Web Guide, currently being piloted in Search Labs, which leverages the capabilities of Gemini AI to categorize search results automatically. Google claims this will not only improve the user experience by loading the Web Guide “twice as fast” but will also expand its applicability across a broader range of searches.