Google’s AI search results will make links more obvious | The Verge
Summary
Google is enhancing its AI search results by making links more visible through pop-ups in AI Overviews and AI Mode, aiming to improve user engagement and content access.
Why It Matters
This update addresses concerns about the visibility of sources in AI-generated content, which has implications for traffic to news publishers. By making links more prominent, Google aims to balance user experience with the needs of content creators, amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding its AI practices.
Key Takeaways
- Google's AI search will now display links in pop-ups for better visibility.
- The update aims to enhance user engagement with AI-generated content.
- Concerns about traffic decline to news sites are prompting these changes.
- Google is exploring options for publishers to opt out of AI features.
- The European Commission is investigating Google's AI practices regarding content use.
TechAINewsGoogle’s AI search results will make links more obviousLinks in AI Overviews and AI Mode will appear in a pop-up upon hovering over cited sources. Links in AI Overviews and AI Mode will appear in a pop-up upon hovering over cited sources. by Emma RothFeb 17, 2026, 10:38 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: The VergeEmma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.Google says it will now display links more prominently inside its AI-powered features in Search. Robby Stein, the vice president of Google Search, announced on Tuesday that a list of links will now appear inside a pop-up when you hover over the sources in AI Overviews and AI Mode on desktop, alongside a description of each linked article and accompanying images.Stein adds that Google will also show these “more descriptive and prominent link icons” in its AI responses on desktop and mobile. “Our testing shows this new UI is more engaging, making it easier to get to great content across the web,” Stein writes.Image: GoogleWhile AI Overviews appear as an AI-generated summary at the top of Search, AI Mode offers a chatbot-style search experience that lets you look for information without having to navigate to the original online sources. Google only continues to expand on these features, amid concerns that its AI search results are tanking traffic to news publishers and other websites. The company has defended it...
