Google adds AI search links amid click data controversy

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google announced new link visibility features for its generative AI Search in the United States this week, expanding publisher integration options while continuing to withhold specific click data for AI-enhanced search results.

The move comes amid persistent criticism from publishers and independent researchers who have reported significant declines in organic traffic since Google launched AI Overviews in May 2024.

Google introduced five new link features, including inline links within AI Overviews, an “Explore new angles” section, “Perspectives from discussions,” desktop hover previews, and subscription labels, according to Google spokesperson Amanda Silberling.

Publishers immediately voiced complaints about reduced clicks following the initial rollout of AI Overviews. Pew Research Center reported in May 2025 that users clicked on search results 8 percent of the time when AI Overviews were present, compared to 15 percent without them.

Google initially stated it had “no data to share” regarding AI-enhanced search clicks, then later shifted its argument, contending that remaining clicks were of “higher quality.”

In October 2025, Google Vice President Liz Reid introduced the concept of “bounce clicks,” suggesting that AI Overviews effectively removed low-value visits from search results.

However, independent data from organizations including DMG Media, Digital Content Next, Reuters Institute, Penske Media Corporation, Chartbeat, and Ahrefs consistently showed significant declines in publisher traffic and click-through rates due to AI Overviews.

A randomized field experiment further challenged Google’s “bounce clicks” argument, finding that removing AI Overviews increased organic clicks by 38 percent without affecting user satisfaction.

Despite the new features, Google still does not provide separate click data in Search Console for AI Overviews, AI Mode, and traditional search, according to Google product manager Hema Budaraju.

Subscription labels, which require publishers to integrate directly with Google, have shown promise in early testing for increasing clicks, the company said.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority previously raised concerns about Google’s dominance in search and its impact on news publishers.

Source: Search Engine Journal