Google Is Testing Placement of AI Overview Source Icons at the Bottom
TLDR
Google is testing moving the source icons in AI Overviews from the top to the bottom, which could make sources harder to find and reduce clicks to websites.
What this Google Search test means for your site
- Status
- Test
- Platform
- Google Search
- Affects
- AI Overviews source icons
- Who
- Not specified in the source
- Effective
- Not specified in the source
- Action needed
- Not specified in the source
Optimixed Overview
Optimixed's original report on this story.
Google is testing a change that moves the citation source icons in AI Overviews from the top of the feature to the very bottom. SERoundtable notes that the previous placement put the icons at the top, so the new position may make it harder for users to find the sources behind AI-generated answers and could reduce clicks to websites.
How we got here: earlier Google Search coverage
On September 29, Google was reported to be testing a redesign that moved AI Overview citation cards from the right side to the bottom of the response on desktop. On October 15, Google again adjusted how links appear in AI Mode and AI Overviews. On October 29, it was reportedly testing removing the citations card that shows source links beneath AI Overviews on desktop search. Now, Google is testing moving the source icons in AI Overviews from the top to the bottom, which could make sources harder to find and reduce clicks to websites.
Summary of earlier coverage
- Oct 29Google Reportedly Testing Removal of the Citations Card From Desktop AI Overviews
Google is reportedly testing removing the citations card that shows source links beneath AI Overviews on desktop search.
- Sep 29Google Tests Citation Cards at the Bottom of AI Overviews on Desktop
Google is testing a redesign that moves AI Overview citation cards from the right side to the bottom of the response on desktop.
- Sep 8Google Tests Thinner Design for AI Overview Citations Panel
SERoundtable reports Google is testing a narrower citations panel in AI Overviews that could reduce visibility and clicks to source articles.
- Jul 22Google AI Mode and ChatGPT Are Both Testing Bottom-Placed Citation Cards
Google and ChatGPT are separately testing whether moving citation cards from top to bottom of AI-generated answers affects user click behavior.