Whereas Google retains saying it values publishers and is aware of how necessary it’s to hyperlink to publishers and web site homeowners from Search and AI Overviews, nicely, it’s simply as necessary for Google to hyperlink to their very own search outcomes for AI Overviews. Google is testing including hyperlinks, extra seen and clickable hyperlinks, proper within the AI Overviews, to its personal search outcomes.
Google is testing including these dotted lined hyperlinks we noticed in featured snippets to the AI Overviews. If you click on on the dotted line hyperlinks, you might be taken to a brand new set of search outcomes. What that does is assist enhance the variety of searches Google can say folks do on Google Search, which was up like 22% last year.
This was noticed by Sachin Patel who posted a screenshot and video of it in motion on X – right here is that screenshot:
The wild half is simply what number of of those hyperlinks are within the AI Overviews whereas Google solely hyperlinks to writer websites with these small little paperclip icons or chain icons on the finish of the AI Overviews. Which usually tend to be clicked on? The hyperlinks to the writer’s web site or the hyperlinks to Google Search?
Right here is the video embed:
Google AI Overview seems with an underline, and when clicked, it redirects with a brand new question.@rustybrick @gaganghotra_ @brodieseo pic.twitter.com/Y6Df6bfxgn
— Sachin Patel (@SachuPatel53124) March 17, 2025
I feel Google is increasingly delusion about links to publishers/web site homeowners than ever, particularly round AI Overviews.
Discussion board dialogue at X.