Hassan Khan
August 2025 Google is actively enhancing the visibility of source links inside its AI Mode, aiming to make the user experience more transparent and helpful while supporting publishers.
Inline Links and Carousels Take Center Stage
Robby Stein, VP of Product for Google Search, announced on X that Google has been experimenting with how and where to display links in AI Mode responses. The company’s “long term north star,” he said, is to embed more inline links links placed directly within the AI generated response text for better context and user engagement. Stein emphasized that users are more likely to click links when they know where the link leads before clicking
This change is already underway: on desktop, AI Mode now features link carousels rows of source links with contextual previews right inside the AI responses. Google confirmed mobile support is coming soon.
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Furthermore, Google has rolled out model updates that smartly decide where to place inline links. These adjustments aim to position links at points where users are most inclined to click such as after factual claims or obscure terms, enhancing both usability and trust.
Web Guide: A New Approach to Organizing Links
Beyond embedding links within responses, Google is testing a new interface called Web Guide a Lab experiment through Search Labs. This feature groups relevant web links by topic to help users explore subtopics more intuitively. Initially available on the “Web” tab, Google plans to expand Web Guide availability to the main “All” tab for opted in users
Why It Matters
These efforts represent Google’s attempt to balance the convenience of AI driven summaries with the importance of directing users to external sources. For publishers and content creators, more prominent placement of links within AI responses could mean improved visibility and referral traffic. However, the move also reflects Google’s continued experimentation with how search content is presented in an AI first world.
What Lies Ahead
Expect further refinements in how AI Mode displays links variations in link density, placement, and labeling are likely as Google continues to test user behaviors. Meanwhile, the Web Guide experiment may reshape how users navigate discovery and exploration in AI Mode.
