A couple of weeks in the past, I reported on how Google was testing displaying deeper Google AI Overviews, possibly powered by Gemini 2.0, with over 60 hyperlinks and citations in them. Nicely, over the previous few weeks, increasingly of us are seeing these AI Overviews, with dozens of hyperlinks inside them. And we’re asking ourselves, who will click on on these hyperlinks?
I imply, if the AI Overview had possibly 3 to five hyperlinks, certain, possibly a searcher will accidently click on on a kind of hyperlinks. However an AI Overview with 40, 50, 60 plus hyperlinks. That’s method too overwhelming and no searcher will click on on these.
I imply, you’ll be able to set off them fairly simply – this one solely has 16 citations/hyperlinks however many have over 50:
Listed below are extra examples:
Hey @rustybrick – is it new that AIO exhibits 30+ sources? Undecided I’ve ever seen it cite this many websites earlier than. pic.twitter.com/ewwD6adIa9
— Lily Ray 😏 (@lilyraynyc) February 13, 2025
AI overview replace. How about 40 #1 listings? 🙂
I have been seeing this increasingly just lately for some well being and medical queries. Google is offering MANY citations for the AIO. Try the listing beneath for “flaxseed advantages”… it comprises 40, sure 40, citations.
The AIO… pic.twitter.com/4YVLRyWKqN
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) February 16, 2025
The query is – once more – who will click on on these citations when (1) Google offers you the reply and (2) there are simply too many hyperlinks and its overwhelming. Plus, this exhibits much more of a purpose for Google to offer us this information inside Search Console – which they likely will never do however they need to.
As Lily wrote, Google: let’s take a look at placing 30+ hyperlinks in AI Overview citations and make the AIO reply take up your complete display, however not give web site homeowners a solution to measure visitors from AIO.” As Glenn Gabe additionally wrote, “The AIO itself is not essentially enormous after I’m seeing this occur, however there are a ton of sources offered. BTW, every itemizing would rank #1 in GSC since they tackle the place of the AIO block. So sure, 40 #1 listings.”
What a multitude for us…
Discussion board dialogue at X.
