Google Testing Link Icon Citations For AI Overviews

Google can be testing hyperlink icons within the AI Overviews to point out citations for statements generated within the AI Reply. These hyperlinks, when clicked, will take you to an overlay window that exhibits these hyperlinks in a search outcome format web page. No, clicking the hyperlink icon is not going to take you on to the supply however you will note the search outcome snippet.

Glenn Gabe additionally noticed this one and I’m having hassle replicating it. He posted screenshots on X, which he defined the way it works. First, he stated this was in “non-labs accounts.” He wrote, “They’re clustered on the high with small favicons (much like Perplexity). When tapping the overflow menu, all of these hyperlinks are supplied in a menu. Additionally, the icons for hyperlinks within the AI overview have been really hyperlink icons. And when tapping the icon, all hyperlinks for that a part of the reply have been listed in an overlay.”

Listed below are his screenshots of this:

Then after you click on on them:

This jogs my memory of among the early checks on how Google SGE showed links. And let’s not overlook Google testing AI Overview cards at the top.

Glenn added this level this morning round this being a good way to inject adverts into the AI Overviews:

Lily Ray additionally noticed this:

I like that Google continues to experiment with methods to drive visitors to the supply of the AI Overviews statements however I’m fearful the place this may increasingly lead.

Discussion board dialogue at X.