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Google is adding more links to its AI answers
Google’s 15 October update puts more clickable links inside AI Mode and AI Overviews. Here is what changed, what it does not promise, and the practical website checks that give your business the best chance of being one of those links.
If you run a small business, you have probably noticed that Google increasingly answers questions itself, with an AI-written summary at the top of the page. A fair worry is that fewer people then click through to your website. On 15 October 2026 Google announced changes that point the other way: more links inside those AI answers, and more prominent ones.
What Google announced
In a post on its official blog, Google said it is updating AI Mode and AI Overviews with “clearer inline links, context about sources, timely articles and more”. The main changes are:
- More inline links. These are links on words or phrases inside the AI answer itself. Google says it has made “continued and substantial increases” to how often they appear, and is now showing them higher up in responses more often.
- A section for official websites. Google is testing a display that puts the one or two official places to complete a task in a dedicated section at the top of a response, with context about why each link is useful.
- More news carousels. Carousels of timely articles are rolling out to more locations and languages.
- Bigger related links. Links at the end of some AI responses are getting image thumbnails and a more clickable design.
Google also said use of its Preferred Sources feature has grown by more than seven times since the start of the year.
What it does not promise
It is worth being level-headed. As the UK site SearchHawk points out, Google has not said who those links will point to, or that clicks to websites will go up. Google’s post does not name any countries or mention local businesses, and it has not said whether each change is live in the UK yet. SearchHawk’s view is also that a trade’s website is unlikely to be the “official place” for anything, so most local firms should not expect to appear in that new section.
So this is not a reason to rebuild your marketing overnight. It is, however, a good reminder that AI answers are built from web pages, and only pages Google can find and understand can be linked.
Four practical steps for your website
1. Make sure your important pages are indexed
Your page cannot be one of those links if Google has not indexed it. Google Search Console’s Pages report shows which of your pages are indexed and which are not, and why. Start with your home page, your main service pages and your contact page. If you are not sure why a page is missing, see why a website may not be showing on Google.
2. Leave the AI setting switched on
Search Console has a “Search generative AI” setting, and SearchHawk notes that it is on by default. Excluding your site takes your links and content out of AI Overviews and AI Mode, so unless you have a specific reason, leave it as it is.
3. Answer real questions clearly on your service pages
Inline links are attached to words and phrases in an answer. Pages that state plainly what you do, where you do it, what it costs and how to get in touch are easier for any search system to use. Vague, image-heavy pages with little text give it nothing to quote. This is the same work that helps ordinary search results, so it is never wasted.
4. Keep an eye on your traffic
Google includes traffic from its AI features in the Search Console Performance report under Web. Check it monthly so you can see whether your visits change as these features roll out, rather than guessing.
Where to start if you are not sure
Most small business websites we look at have a handful of simple problems holding them back in search: pages missing from Google’s index, thin service pages, unclear headings or slow mobile pages. None of them are hard to fix once you know they are there.
Our £99 website audit audits your whole website for search foundations, design, mobile experience and conversion, and gives you a prioritised list of fixes. If you would like ongoing help, our SEO packages for small businesses work through those priorities every month, including local SEO services if you serve a particular area. If your site needs a fresh start, see our website redesign service or small business website design packages.
Not sure what’s holding your website back? Get your whole site reviewed for £99, with prioritised fixes in 2 working days. Book a £99 website audit.