Google AI Search Links Update: What Businesses Do

Updated: 22 October 2026

The Google AI search links update means AI Mode and AI Overviews will show more clickable links, and show them higher in the answer. Google announced on 15 October 2026 that it has made substantial increases to inline links and is adding new link sections to help people reach websites.

For a business owner, this matters because AI answers are now a place where your website can be seen or skipped. Some parts of the update are rolling out and others are only being tested, so this guide separates what is confirmed from what is still unclear, and lists simple checks you can do this week.

What did Google change in AI Mode and AI Overviews?

According to reports on Google's announcement, the update focuses on making links easier to notice and click. Google says the changes make exploring the web simpler, more visual and more engaging.

• Inline links: links placed within words or phrases of the AI response now appear in more answers and higher up, so key sources are easier to click.
• Dive Deeper links: links at the end of some AI responses get image thumbnails and a more clickable design.
• Article carousels: carousels for timely queries, which highlight a searcher's preferred sources, are expanding to more locations and languages. Google has not named them.
• Top-of-response section (testing): when only one or two official sites exist for a task, Google is testing a section at the top that lists them with context on why each is useful.
• Creator and publisher names (testing): in some AI Mode video results, a clickable name opens the creator's Search profile, not their own website.

Which parts are live and which are only tests?

Search Engine Journal reports that the carousel expansion is starting now, while the official-site section and the profile-name links are tests with no expansion timeline. Inline link placement is described as a continuing change without specific rollout dates.

Because Google did not say which countries or languages get each feature first, you may not see every change on your own searches yet. Treat the update as a direction of travel, not a switch that flips for everyone on one day.

• Live now: the expansion of Preferred Sources carousels to more locations and languages is starting.
• Testing only: the top-of-response official-site section and clickable creator names in AI Mode video results.

What are Preferred Sources and why should you care?

Preferred Sources lets a searcher choose the news sites and publishers they want to see more often. Google says usage has grown more than seven times since the start of the year, though it has not shared a user count or how this was measured.

Per Google's documentation as summarised by Search Engine Journal, a site must be included in Search generative AI features in Search Console to qualify as a Preferred Source in AI Mode and AI Overviews. The documentation also describes a button and deep link that site owners can use to ask readers to add their site. This is most relevant if you publish regular news, tips or updates.

• Usage: Google says it grew more than seven times since the start of the year.
• Eligibility: your site must be included in Search generative AI features in Search Console.

Will more links bring more clicks to your website?

That is not yet clear. The reports say Google gave no click data for these changes, and Search Engine Land notes that Google still does not provide click data for AI features in Search Console's AI performance reports.

Search Engine Journal adds that moving an inline link higher does not change its reported position in Search Console, because all links in an AI Overview share the overview's single position. So you cannot expect to see this change cleanly in your reports.

• No click data: Google has not shared click numbers for these link changes.
• Reporting limit: all links in an AI Overview share one position in Search Console.

What should a small business do now?

You do not need to change your whole strategy. A few practical checks are enough while the picture becomes clearer.

• Search your own business and services in Google, including AI Mode where you can, and note whether your website or Google Business Profile appears as a link.
• Keep your pages clear and factual: one page per service, with the main answer near the top, so a link to it is worth clicking.
• Check Search Console and confirm your site is eligible for Search generative AI features if you want to qualify as a Preferred Source.
• Publish useful updates regularly if your business shares news or guidance, since the carousels are for timely queries.
• Track enquiries, not only clicks, by asking new customers how they found you, because click data for AI features is limited.

Who can get a Google Search profile in India?

Search Engine Journal checked Google's help page on 15 October and reports that Search profiles are available in the US, Canada and India. Eligible creators or publishers need at least 10,000 followers on YouTube, Instagram, X or TikTok, and the Google Account used to set one up must belong to someone aged 18 or older. Most local businesses will not meet the follower threshold, so this part of the update is mainly for creators and publishers.

• Countries: the US, Canada and India.
• Eligibility: at least 10,000 followers on YouTube, Instagram, X or TikTok, and an account holder aged 18 or older.

Google is giving AI answers more links, but it has not shown that those links bring more visits, and several parts are still tests. Check how your business appears today, keep your pages clear and useful, and judge the update by the enquiries you actually receive. Details may change as Google expands the rollout.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Google AI Mode and AI Overviews links update?

Announced on 15 October 2026, it puts more inline links higher in AI responses, adds thumbnails to end-of-answer links and expands article carousels. Google is also testing a top section for official sites and clickable creator names.

Will AI Overviews links increase traffic to my website?

It is not yet known. The reports say Google gave no click data, and Search Console does not report click data for these AI features separately.

What are Google Preferred Sources?

It is a feature that lets searchers choose the sources they want to see more often. Google says usage grew more than seven times this year, and a site must be included in Search generative AI features in Search Console to qualify.

Are Google Search profiles available in India?

Yes, according to Google's help page as checked by Search Engine Journal, profiles are available in the US, Canada and India. Eligible creators or publishers need at least 10,000 followers on YouTube, Instagram, X or TikTok.

Sources

• Google updates AI Mode and AI Overview with more links, context, carousels, and information on creators (Search Engine Land) (searchengineland.com)
• Google AI Mode and AI Overview updates work to elevate links (9to5Google) (9to5google.com)
• Google Puts Inline Links Higher In More AI Search Responses (Search Engine Journal) (searchenginejournal.com)

This article is based on the sources above and was current on 22 October 2026.

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