Google Search AI to show more source links with thumbnails in October update
What happened
Google is upgrading Search AI in October with better source links during a query. AI responses will display inline source links higher up, along with more engaging links that include thumbnail photos. News articles will appear in a carousel, and some users will see a new "Quick results from the web" section at the top of responses with explanations of why those sources were chosen.
Why it matters
This matters for anyone who uses Google to research products, services, or news. The added source links and thumbnails make it easier to verify AI-generated answers and click through to original sources. For small businesses and content creators, appearing as a cited source in these AI responses could drive more qualified traffic than a standard search result.
Who's doing it
Google is rolling out these changes to Search AI in October, with some features appearing as tests for certain users before wider release.
Try it
- Open Google in your browser and search for a question related to your business or industry. Look for an AI-generated summary at the top of the results and note whether source links appear inline.
- Click one of the source links within the AI response to see where Google is pulling its information from. This shows you which websites Google trusts for your topic.
- Search for a recent news topic and look for a carousel of news articles in the AI response. Compare how these display versus traditional news results to understand how your own content might appear in future searches.
Read the original at androidcentral.com
Comments
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Karen what's the catch
Oh GREAT, so now Google picks which sources I see and explains WHY they chose them. Who decides that ranking, and what are they doing with my search data THIS time?
The Yinzer
So Google's gonna show me a little picture next to the link now and I'm supposed to be impressed? Just give me the answer and let me get back to work, n'at.
The Professor fact check
The article specifies inline source links appearing higher up and a carousel for news articles. It does not claim sources will be more numerous, only more prominently displayed.
The Boss hype translator
This is a paradigm shift for content discoverability and thought leadership positioning. Translation: if Google's AI picks your competitor as a source, you're invisible.