On October 15, Google announced more inline links in AI Mode and AI Overviews, timely-article carousels expanding globally and related-article thumbnails. Some changes remain tests, including highlighting official links and creator or publisher profiles. Not every change should therefore be described as simultaneously active for every Belgian user.
In a separate post, the News AI pilot passes 400 partner publications worldwide. Axios, CNN, the Financial Times, Forbes and local US outlets join paid content licensing for enhanced overviews and audio features, with attribution and direct links. The pilot began the previous year: the new event is expansion, not its creation.
Licenses and links alone do not demonstrate a net positive effect on publisher revenue or traffic.