Google detailed changes to how links appear in AI Mode in Search on August 25, 2025. Robby Stein, VP of Product for Google Search, outlined changes on X, including embedded link carousels, smarter inline citations, and a broader Web Guide rollout.
Key updates
- Embedded link carousels inside AI Mode answers are live on desktop - mobile support is coming soon. The carousels show multiple source links with added context, and Google says people prefer and click these links more when context is included (posted August 25, 2025).
- Google is rolling out model updates to improve inline links within AI Mode responses. The model places links where users are likely to seek sources or details, and users may notice fluctuations during rollout in the coming weeks (posted August 25, 2025).
- Google is expanding the Web Guide experiment in Search Labs beyond the Web tab. For opted-in users, Web Guide will begin appearing on the All tab when helpful (posted August 25, 2025).
- According to Google, Web Guide uses Gemini to organize useful web links, as the company introduced in its announcement.
Background
Stein said Google has been testing how and where to show links in AI answers, with a goal of increasing inline links over time, as part of a thread that outlined changes on August 25, 2025.
Google introduced Web Guide as a Search Labs experiment. It initially appears on the Web tab for enrolled users and will also reach the All tab for those users.
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