# Google announces increase in links to original pages in AI answers

Digest AI · Marketing & Small Business · published 2026-10-23T17:30:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/google-announces-increase-in-links-to-original-pages-in-ai-answers

## Summary

google announced on october 15, 2026 that it would increase the number of links to original pages in its ai mode and ai overviews. the update includes five changes: more links in answers, a test display for official pages, news frames for additional regions, highlighted related article links with thumbnails, and clickable video creator names that lead to search profiles.

ai mode has been available in japanese since september 2025, but google has not yet said when the new link‑enhancement features will roll out in japan. search profiles are currently limited to the us, canada, and india, and require 10,000 followers on youtube, instagram, x, or tiktok.

search data from listeningmind shows ai mode is searched about 720,000 times per month, roughly 80 times more than ai‑overview optimization (8,700). users mainly ask how to use the mode, troubleshoot issues, and compare it to gemini. the article notes google has not released official click‑through numbers for the new links.

## Key points

- google will add more links to original pages in ai mode and ai overviews
- ai mode has been in japanese since september 2025 but japan rollout date is unknown
- search profiles are only available in us, canada, india and need 10,000 followers

## Why it matters

the change may shift how marketers and content creators optimize for google’s ai‑driven search results, potentially affecting traffic and visibility for their sites.

## Sources

1. [Google announces increase in links to original pages in AI answers. We also investigated everyone's questions about AI mode, which is searched about 720,000 times a month.](https://note.com/humihumi812103/n/n9d6d57a28512?hl=en) (note.com, 2026-10-23)

Part of the developing story: [Google Boosts Links in AI Search](https://digestai.news/thread/google-updates-ai-search-links-to-appear-higher) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Google announces increase in links to original pages in AI answers", 23 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/google-announces-increase-in-links-to-original-pages-in-ai-answers

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