Google is increasing the visibility of source links in its artificial intelligence (AI) search answers. As concerns grow that summary-style answers in AI Overviews and AI Mode reduce traffic to publishers' sites, it has decided to place links more often at the beginning of answers.

On Oct. 15, IT outlet The Verge reported that Google said in a blog post it is updating AI answers so in-text links appear higher and more frequently in responses.

The change focuses on helping users access needed information directly within AI answers. Google said it has steadily increased the visibility of in-text links in AI search and explained the move will make them easier to click.

Google also unveiled additional measures to increase links and publisher traffic. When there are not many sites to reference for a specific task or piece of information, it will show relevant links with context at the top of the answer. Users will be able to check related sites first without scrolling to the end of the summary answer.

For time-sensitive content, it plans to expand the scope of the "link carousel" introduced in May. It will also change links that were placed at the bottom of answers by adding image thumbnails and shifting them into a format designed to prompt clicks. In AI Mode, it is also testing links that lead to search profiles for publishers and creators.

The revamp aligns with industry concerns that as AI search becomes a starting point for finding information, referrals to original publishers could decline. AI Overviews and AI Mode are structured so users receive tailored answers directly without going through a traditional search results page. Google is refining the screen layout to keep the convenience of the answers while increasing access to sources.

Partnerships with publishers have also expanded. Google said more than 400 publishers are participating in the "News AI" pilot program it announced in December last year. The program uses a licensing model that pays publishers in exchange for the provision and use of "enhanced content" to develop new AI features. Google explained that features such as an "in-depth article overview" offered on the Google News publisher page are included.

Google appears to be seeking to maintain publisher presence within AI search by pairing expanded link visibility with its licensing program. As AI search shifts toward answers, a key point to watch will be what changes follow for actual traffic and publishers' revenue structures.