Google will display links to websites and news articles more prominently in its AI-powered search results, the company announced on Thursday. The move comes as publishers and brands raise concerns about declining website traffic from search engines.

The Alphabet-owned company has gradually introduced artificial intelligence features into its search service over the past two years. These tools provide users with AI-generated answers alongside, or instead of, traditional search links.

In May 2024, Google launched AI Overviews, which generate summaries in response to search queries. Later, in March 2025, the company introduced AI Mode, a separate search experience designed to provide more detailed answers and additional links.

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Now, Google plans to display contextual links more frequently and position them higher within AI-generated results.

Google Expands Links in AI Search

The company will also expand the availability of its link carousel worldwide. These cards appear below AI Overviews and feature headlines, images and links to relevant articles.

In addition, Google will give greater visibility to articles from websites users have selected as “preferred sources.” The search engine will also be able to include relevant content from social media posts and online forums.

Google said it would make links at the end of AI-generated summaries more engaging and prominent. The change aims to help users who want to explore a topic in greater depth.

The announcement comes as publishers and other businesses question how AI-generated answers affect referral traffic. Traditional search results direct users to external websites, whereas AI summaries can provide key information without requiring users to click through.

Publishers Raise Concerns Over Declining Traffic

Several studies have found that users are less likely to open suggested links when search engines provide AI-generated summaries.

According to a report by consultancy Chartbeat, news publishers experienced a 40 per cent decline in traffic from Google between July 2025 and July 2026.

Meanwhile, Google has reported significant adoption of its AI search features. During Alphabet’s second-quarter 2025 earnings results, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said AI Overviews had more than two billion monthly users across more than 200 countries.

The impact of Google’s latest changes will depend on whether more prominent links encourage users to visit publishers’ websites. For news organisations that rely on search referrals, the changes could affect how audiences discover and access their reporting.