Links to websites and news articles will now receive greater preference in Google AI searches. Learn how this new update will benefit users and how it may impact website traffic.
Google AI Search Update
Now, there's no need to open a separate website each time you search for an answer to a question on Google. AI helps provide a summary of the question directly on the search page. However, the growing use of this feature has raised concerns among news publishers and other websites: users can read the AI's answer directly and then move on. This could impact visitor numbers.
In the midst of this situation, Google is making changes to its AI search results. The company will now prioritize links to websites and articles alongside answers, allowing users to easily access the main source of relevant information. Let's explore the new search updates Google has made.
What is the new Google search update?
Under Google's new update, links to related websites will appear more frequently and higher in AI-generated answers than before. The company will also preferentially show links within the content instead of limiting them to the end of the answer. Google will also make its link carousel available globally. In this, headlines of related news and articles appear below AI Overviews, along with photos. This will allow users to directly access related articles for additional information on a topic.
Why did Google make this change in search?
Several studies have shown that users are less likely to click on website links after receiving responses from AI. According to the report, traffic to news websites from Google declined significantly between July 2025 and July 2026. A complaint was filed regarding this issue. Google's new update attempts to strike a balance between instant information from AI and access to related websites. However, the extent to which this change will increase traffic to news websites is currently unknown.
News will be displayed according to the preferences of the users.
Google's algorithm will prioritize articles from websites that users have previously selected as their preferred sources. AI-generated responses will also include relevant social media posts and content from online forms. The company is also working on plans to make the links at the end of the AI summary clearer and more attractive.
When did Google launch the AI search feature?
Google launched AI Overviews in May 2024. It provides users with an AI-generated summary of a search query. Previously, search results primarily displayed links to websites. In March 2025, the company introduced AI Mode, which opens in a separate window.
