In "AI mode," Google displays more links and adds brief explanations for why each result might be useful. The company is also integrating more inline links directly into its AI-generated responses. Previous research has shown that AI-generated answers significantly reduce click-through rates to websites.

Links from subscriptions and popular media outlets will appear in a dedicated carousel, initially rolling out in the Gemini app. This feature pulls content from users' subscribed and preferred news sources.

Google is also testing AI-generated article summaries and audio briefings with publishers such as Der Spiegel and The Guardian. For real-time data within the Gemini app, Google is collaborating with partners like the Associated Press. These exclusive agreements are strategic—effectively creating a "prisoner's dilemma" for other website operators, who feel compelled to upload their content to AI platforms to maintain visibility.

These partnerships also help publishers remain silent on potential copyright infringement concerns regarding the use of their data for AI training. Shortly after these announcements, the European Union launched an antitrust investigation into Google over potential market abuse related to its handling of AI data from websites and publishers.