Google AI Overviews now surface expert advice from Reddit and social media in search results

Google updates AI search to include 'expert advice' from Reddit and other web forums | TechCrunch

Google is updating search to refine its AI experience by adding additional context to links, like conversations from web forums, as well as a feature that highlights links from a user's news subscriptions. While citing web forums and discussion boards can help users find answers to more niche queries, this design choice could also prove chaotic. Two years ago, Google overhauled its search experience to put AI front and center -- when you search for something, Google will often summon an "AI Overview," which has spurred mixed reception from users. People quickly pointed out how the feature could be exploited, since it failed to recognize sarcasm or information that comes from dubious sources. (It cited The Onion when telling someone to eat "one small rock per day," and used Reddit to advise someone to put glue on their pizza to make the cheese stick better.) Though Google's AI Overviews have improved significantly, they still -- like anything powered by an LLM -- are prone to hallucination. A recent New York Times analysis found that the AI Overviews were correct about nine times out of 10. But for a company that processes trillions of queries a year, that success rate would mean that hundreds of thousands of searches turn up inaccurate results every minute. Of course, not every search has an objective yes-or-no answer, which is why Google might want to pull in voices from web forums where people discuss such questions -- there's a reason why people often add "Reddit" to the end of their Google searches. "For many searches, people are increasingly seeking out advice from others," Google explains. "To help you find the most helpful insights to explore further, AI responses will now include a preview of perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources. We're also adding more context to these links, like a creator's name, handle, or community name, to help you decide which discussions you might want to read or participate in." But now Google is complicating the role of its AI Overviews. Is the AI Overview supposed to answer a question, or is it supposed to serve you a variety of sources that might have the information you're looking for? Isn't that basically just a normal Google search? Google will, at least, add more context to where its AI Overview commentary comes from, which might help users decipher if they're getting information from a trustworthy source. It's similar to how ChatGPT or Claude will sometimes provide links that are supposed to back up its claims. Still, we'd recommend double-checking that the AI is not hallucinating the validity of these citations.

Google Will Show You Things You Didn't Ask for in AI Overview Searches

Google is tweaking the tech behind its AI overviews in Search to expand the information it gives you and where it pulls it from. These updates are designed to help you "explore relevant websites, deep insights and original content," the company said in a blog post on Wednesday. But you may not want all of that. The biggest changes will have Google including more first-person advice from online forums like Reddit and "other firsthand sources." The idea is to connect you with information from people who've already tried the things you're searching for. But like any online search, you'll want to double-check the source. Remember when sarcastic Reddit comments had an early version of Google's AI overviews advising us to put glue on pizza and eat rocks? Google will also include related information on the topic you're searching for, even if it isn't quite what you asked for. For example, if you search for the best spots to visit in Curitiba, Brazil, Google may include a "further exploration" section at the bottom of the AI summary that includes links about the history and architecture of the city. Some other changes are meant to make it easier to see where Google's AI is sourcing its information and find the right links. You'll be able to see which websites are providing the info for each point in a bulleted list. You'll also get a better, bigger preview of these websites when you hover over them on desktop searches. Any sources you've saved as a preferred source or told Google you have a subscription to will be easier to find in AI results, too. You can add CNET as a preferred source here. These AI-created summaries are among the many ways the tech giant has forced more AI into Search. Its AI Mode is a dedicated AI search experience, meant to help you dive deep on topics by chatting with Google like you would with a chatbot. The company introduced personalized intelligence earlier this year to help Google tailor its search results to your life and interests. But Google Search's AI makeover has dramatically harmed the business of publishers and websites, and its not-totally-error-free AI summaries should have people more inclined to double-check the source, even if people aren't doing so.

Google's AI search summaries will now quote Reddit

Google is updating its AI Search features to make it easier for users to find information from sources they know and trust. One of the more notable changes introduces "a preview of perspectives" from firsthand sources like social media, Reddit, and other web forums, effectively linking your search queries with online conversations around similar topics. Google says this update aims to address that "people are increasingly seeking out advice from others" when searching for information online. This will be relatable for anyone who's added "Reddit" to the end of Google Search terms to find experiences from real humans instead of SEO-optimized web results. It also backs up claims made by Reddit CEO Steve Huffman last year that "just about anybody using Google at this point will end up on Reddit." By building these features into its AI Search tools, Google is trying to encourage more users to try them instead of manually hunting through traditional web results in Google Search. Google says it's also adding additional context to these new AI response links, such as the creator's name, handle, or community name, to make those conversational sources easier to quickly identify. These firsthand sources are presented as "Expert Advice" in AI-powered Search results, and can point users to specific, specialized forums and subreddits they may wish to explore further. "For example, if you're researching how to take great pictures of the northern lights, you might see quotes from a photography forum advising on exposure time, along with clickable links - featuring the specific community name - so you can jump to the full conversation," Google said in its announcement. Google is also adding more links to useful websites beside the relevant text in AI responses. These are intended to be related to the user's query, but not necessarily the answer they're looking for, such as linking users to blogs about touring guides and training suggestions when searching for information about cycling routes. Another change adds suggestions for related topics to the end of AI responses to encourage users to explore more around the subject they're researching. For example, if users search for how cities are expanding green spaces, Google may now also show recommended reports and case studies on successful efforts in major cities alongside the results summary. And finally, Google is also making specific sources easier to find with a new feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions in AI Mode and AI Overviews, at least for the publishers that support linking a subscription. That means your trusted sources of information should stand out more against the deluge.

Google's AI Overviews will show you advice from other people now

Links to the sources will also appear next to the relevant text. I often use Google's AI Overviews to get a summary of the information I need when I run a search. But the overview itself rarely provides enough details to fully answer my question. That's why I always consult the sources used to generate the summary. With that in mind, Google has enhanced its AI Overviews with five new features designed to better flesh out the subject of your search. Sometimes when I search for information on a particular topic, I'd like to hear from other people who have knowledge or experience in that area. For example, maybe I'm looking for help on what type of food to feed my cat, given that he has a sensitive stomach. And I'd like to hear from fellow cat owners with their take on this issue. Now, AI Overviews will show you advice from other people. Appearing in a section called Expert Advice, these comments will appear as brief remarks from people via discussion forums, social media, and other online sources. Each comment will show you the name of the person or the forum and include a link that will take you to the full discussion. From there, you can read more comments about your topic and even join the discussion if you'd like. Also: How to remove AI Overviews from Google Search: 4 easy ways As one example given by Google, maybe you're trying to find out how to take the best photos of the northern lights. When you run a Google search on this subject, you might see comments from an online photography forum with advice on exposure time and other elements, along with clickable links so you can head to the full conversation. I rely on certain favorite news sources, such as ZDNET, that I'd like to consult in a Google search. But those sources aren't always easily accessible from the AI Overview. To remedy that obstacle, Google will now highlight links to your news subscriptions directly in AI Mode and AI Overviews. You can then easily click the link to the news source to view the full story to better answer your question. Also: Sick of AI in Search? These 7 Google alternatives still put links first Running early tests on this feature, Google said that people were significantly more likely to click links that were labeled as their subscriptions. Publishers who want to help their subscribers access their stories in a Google AI search can head to the Subscription Linking page to set this up. AI can make mistakes. That's another reason I always consult the original sources used in a Google AI Overview. But those sources aren't always easy to see or access. To help you view the right sources, Google will now include links to them directly next to the relevant text in the AI summary. Also: Use Google AI Overview for health advice? It's 'really dangerous,' investigation finds As one example from Google, maybe you're searching for information about going on a bike-riding trip through California. In response, the AI Overview displays a series of bullet points with details about such a trip. With the latest update, the summary might now add a link to a Pacific Coast bike touring guide next to the bullet point about terrain or a link to a blog post about bike ride training next to the bullet point about daily mileage. Beyond viewing the original sources used to generate the AI Overview, I sometimes would like to access even more original sources on the subject. Toward that end, Google is adding a new section with suggestions on other sites to consult. Appearing below the AI summary, this section will contain links to articles or analyses on different aspects of the same topic. Also: You can turn off Gemini in Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more - here's how For example, maybe you're investigating how cities are adding more green spaces to their environments. Below the AI summary might be a case study on how Seoul is successfully restoring its streams or a report on how architects designed New York City's High Line park. Google's AI Overviews typically include links to relevant websites. But you have to click the actual link to find out what the site offers. Now, Google will display a quick preview of a website when you hover over its link. The preview will show you the name or title of the site so that you can better judge whether it's worth visiting. I know that I'm sometimes hesitant about clicking a link to a site without knowing where it will take me. The preview is designed to help people feel more comfortable about visiting sites linked in the AI Overview. Also: I tested ChatGPT Plus vs. Gemini Pro to see which is better - and if it's worth switching "We're continuing to enhance how we show and rank links in our generative AI Search experiences and using techniques like query fan-out, which helps us dive deeper into the web to find the most relevant sites for your search," Google said in its blog post about the latest enhancements. "By improving the visibility and helpfulness of links and showcasing original voices, we're building AI in Search to help you discover the richness of the web, connecting you directly with the sources and creators you're looking for."

Google's AI Overviews Now Include 'Expert Advice' Pulled From Social Media Posts

Google's AI-generated search results will show direct quotes from people sharing their opinions and first-hand experiences on Reddit and other online communities. Google on Wednesday announced five new updates to AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search. While all of them aim to improve context and highlight relevant links, a new "Expert Advice" section stands out for its reliance on social media posts and online discussions. AI Overviews already links to social media posts in some responses. With the latest update, it will now also show direct quotes from people sharing their opinions and first-hand experiences on Reddit and other online communities. "For many searches, people are increasingly seeking out advice from others," Google says. "To help you find the most helpful insights to explore further, AI responses will now include a preview of perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources." Google shared an image (above) to show how the new feature works. For a query about "photographing the northern lights," Expert Advice pulls quotes from an online photography community and a subreddit. Alongside this update, Google is improving how links appear in AI Overviews. If you subscribe to an online news publication, AI Overviews may now highlight responses and links from your preferred outlet. Additionally, when you hover over a link, you'll now see more details. For instance, if it's a social media link, you'll see the name of the creator or the community. And if the link points to a platform, you'll see the website name or the web page title. AI Overviews will now try to engage you in related topics as well. Once it responds to your initial question, it will suggest other similar topics you can explore.

Google's AI search results will now turn to Reddit for 'Expert Advice' - Engadget

Google is updating AI Overviews and AI Mode, the AI-generated portions of its search engine, to highlight sources in new ways, and interestingly, more prominently feature first-hand accounts from forums, social media and Reddit. Via a new "Expert Advice" section that can appear in AI responses, Google will display "a preview of perspectives from public online discussions, social media and other firsthand sources." In the sample screenshot the company provided, quotes from forums, WordPress blogs and Reddit were arranged above links to their respective sources. Google plans to add more context to these links, too, showing "a creator's name, handle or community name," so you can judge what you might want to click through and read from a glance. Google will also start recommending in-depth articles at the end of AI responses for further exploration of a given topic, and link to more sources directly in its generated answers rather than just at the end. If you subscribe to any publications, AI responses will also highlight sources from the subscriptions you link to your Google account. Given the rapid progress of AI in general, AI Overviews and AI Mode have been pretty consistently iterated on since Google launched them in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Pulling from Reddit and other online social platforms isn't exactly a new strategy for the company, either -- at least one early AI Overview hallucination was caused by information from Reddit. It is perhaps telling Google plans to cite the platform more prominently now, though, because Reddit is considered by some to be a more useful source of information than Google. Even more this update, the search engine has been prominently featuring Reddit links in standard search results. Whether adding more links and recommending long-form reporting makes a meaningful difference for the dwindling number of publications Google pulls from is another story, however. As of 2025, Google claimed that its AI search tools were leading to more searches and more "high-quality clicks" on the websites it cites. Regardless of how much the company tinkers with its AI responses, though, one outcome of AI Overviews and AI Mode is the creation of scenarios where you don't have to click away to another website at all, because Google answered your question for you.

Google adds more deep-dive potential to Search topics in AI Overviews

AI is growing smarter, more powerful, and even more helpful by the day -- so much so that Google has updated AI Mode and AI Overviews in Gemini-powered Search to provide more context into topics you're searching about. Google is sharing the details on five updates it has given AI Mode and AI Overviews within Search. These include providing more links directly within AI responses, giving previews of linked websites when you hover over links on desktop, quotes from social media discussions, links to in-depth articles in response to searches for information about certain topics, and links to news sources that are highlighted as subscriptions.

Google invites Reddit back to the AI Overview party

Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism and Mass Media graduate who joined the Android Police team in April 2024, after serving as a full-time News Writer at Canadian publication MobileSyrup. Prior to joining Android Police, Oberoi worked on feature stories, reviews, evergreen articles, and focused on 'how-to' resources. Additionally, he informed readers about the latest deals and discounts with quick hit pieces and buyer's guides for all occasions. Oberoi lives in Toronto, Canada. When not working on a new story, he likes to hit the gym, play soccer (although he keeps calling it football for some reason🤔) and try out new restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. Google's AI Overviews didn't get off to a good start, and that's primarily because of the tool's early sourcing workflow. Publicly launched in 2024, the tool was quick to go viral for all the wrong reasons. I'm sure you remember the 'Pizza Glue' fiasco. It all took place because AI Overviews was sourcing information from user queries and subsequent replies from sources like Reddit and Quora. Related Google Search quietly fixed its AI problem by ignoring Quora and cutting back on Overviews Search results are starting to make sense again Posts 1 By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Google subsequently fixed AI Overviews' habit of spewing nonsense by cutting back on sources like Reddit. Now, it's bringing Reddit back into the mix. In a new blog post, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant announced upgrades coming to AI Overviews, and one of them is the tool's re-found ability to highlight "perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources." For example, if you're trying to find information about photographing the northern lights, AI Overview might display information from a photography blog, user comments from forums, and other pieces of "expert advice," as seen in the screenshot above. Each piece of information will also highlight its source and a relevant link to it. Additionally, Google will now also start highlighting more context, "like a creator's name, handle, or community name, to help you decide which discussions you might want to read or participate in." Subscribe for Clear Coverage of AI Sourcing Shifts Get clearer perspective -- subscribe to the newsletter for clear, source-focused coverage of AI tools and sourcing changes. We unpack firsthand perspectives, explain who's behind the sources, and help you judge which discussions deserve a closer read. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. In addition to AI Overviews, all the firsthand source updates listed above are also making their way to AI Mode. Related Google supercharges AI Overviews with Gemini 3 There's a new AI Mode gateway too Posts By Karandeep Singh Oberoi

Google making links in AI Mode and AI Overviews a bit more direct

Since the launch of AI Overviews and AI Mode, Google has been working to make links in generative responses more prominent, with Search adding five updates today. Google is now placing links "right next to the relevant [generated] text" in an AI Mode or AI Overview response. ...you may now see a link to a Pacific coast bike touring guide right next to the bullet point about terrain, or a link to a blog post with training suggestions next to the bullet point about daily mileage. On desktop, hovering over an inline link will show the "name of the website or title of the web page." This aims to provide more context as "people might hesitate to click a link if they're not sure exactly where it leads." AI Mode and AI Overviews will now highlight links from your news subscriptions. Early testing found that "people were significantly more likely to click links that were labeled as their subscriptions." This requires publishers to integrate subscriptions with Google. AI responses from Google will now surface "perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources." When this occurs, you'll see the creator's name, handle, or community name. For example, if you're researching how to take great pictures of the northern lights, you might see quotes from a photography forum advising on exposure time, along with clickable links - featuring the specific community name - so you can jump to the full conversation. Finally, many of Google's AI responses will now end with suggestions "for where to go next" that let you dive deeper. This might include links to "unique articles or in-depth analyses on different facets of your topic."

Google Search AI Mode Gets 'Expert Advice' From Reddit and Social Media

Google is updating its AI search results to incorporate a "preview of perspectives" sourced from public online discussions and social media. The results sourced from places like Reddit and online forums are sometimes labeled as "Expert Advice," per Google's screenshots. Google says that the section could have different titles like "Community Perspectives" depending on the query and the response, so not all responses will have the Expert Advice labeling. The section includes the creator's name, handle, or community name for reference. Links from news sites that a user subscribes to will now have a "Subscribed" label in results across AI Mode and AI Overviews so that they show up first. Google is also making links easier to see in AI responses, with links shown next to relevant text. Hovering over a link on the desktop version of Google search will now provide a preview of the website with the name of the website or the title of the webpage, so users will have a better idea of the site before clicking through. Google says that users hesitate to click inline links when unsure where a link leads. Google says that improving the visibility and helpfulness of links in AI Search will help users connect directly with sources and creators.

A new search AI tool from Google will summarize tips from Reddit and social media -- the 'Expert Advice' panel will 'include a preview of perspectives from public online discussions' and other sources as part of its updates to AI Mode and AI Overviews

* Google is adding a new AI feature to search results * 'Expert Advice' summarizes tips from forums and social media * But it risks undermining the very sources it's cribbing from Over the last couple of years, Google has increasingly been working AI into its search results -- type anything into the search engine these days and you'll likely see an AI-generated answer ahead of any websites. Now it looks as if the search giant has plans to weave AI ever more tightly into its offering by including "Expert Advice" from sources such as Reddit and social media. According to an official Google blog post, people often look for advice from other humans when using Google. In response to that, Google's AI responses will now include "a preview of perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources." As per Google's examples, these will take the form of a quote extracted from the original website, with the source name listed below, all housed in an "Expert Advice" section. For instance, Google says if you're searching for advice on how to take better photos of the Northern Lights, the Expert Advice area might show tips on setting the correct exposure, adjusting your camera's ISO speed, not using a smartphone, and more. Google might not always use the Expert Advice label -- other examples in the blog post included "Perspectives on Natural Weeding" and "Community Experiences." These will seemingly depend on the subject you're searching for. Analysis: Google's insatiable appetite for AI On the face of it, Google's Expert Advice section could be a helpful way to quickly get the key information you're searching for instead of needing to rummage through various websites in search of the answer. But there's certainly a degree of irony here. After all, websites such as Reddit are so popular because users want genuine help from other people, not AI-generated content -- the human aspect is the entire point. Yet Google seems to have seen that fact and has set its AI loose on these sources, swallowing and commodifying their knowledge and reducing the human element in the process. And there's another risk here. By regurgitating the best advice from various forums and social media sites, Google's AI could take clicks away from websites that are already struggling to survive as a direct result of the rise of AI. If these sites go under, there will be no human responses for Google's AI to summarize in the first place. While I've no doubt that behemoths such as Reddit will be just fine with Google's latest AI move, it's the smaller sites that I'm more concerned about -- sites who will have their key tips and tricks reproduced by Google without any of the associated web traffic. And the internet would be a much poorer place if they go under, leaving Google's ravenous AI and, more importantly, human readers without the vital resources that they were searching out. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

Google is now labeling some Reddit posts as 'Expert Advice'

Google announced a few new AI-related updates to Google Search this week, including a new feature that appears as "Expert Advice" in AI Mode and the AI Overview section at the top of the search results page. When a user performs a search, Google will now bring in social media posts and forum discussions from around the internet in order to help answer a user's query. The content will appear beside the creator's name, handle, or the community name where the information was posted. A link will also be included to the source. In one of Google's examples, a search about taking pictures of the Northern Lights provided the user with "Expert Advice" from sources such as photography news website DPReview and a WordPress-hosted website for an aurora borealis tour company. However, the advice also featured commentary from Reddit's r/photography subreddit. Labeling social media and forum posts as "Expert Advice" could certainly be problematic for certain search queries. Search results from platforms like Reddit have become very popular among users looking for reviews or recommendations on products or services. However, users likely shouldn't trust these sources for something like medical advice. And because many spammers are taking advantage of Reddit's newfound visibility in Google Search, not all Reddit commentary comes from actual users. Google says that these new sources won't always be labeled "Expert Advice." The company is describing this content as a "preview of perspectives." In some of Google's examples of the feature, the social media and forum content appears under the title of "Perspectives" or "Community Experiences." Along with this new feature, Google announced a few more updates to AI Overviews and AI Mode as well. AI Overviews will now provide users with recommendations on topics or queries for "Further Exploration" in order to encourage users to dig deeper. In addition, Google has launched a link preview feature inside AI Overviews to give users more information about a certain source. Users will see a pop-up with a preview of the website when hovering over a link. Speaking of links, Google is making links in AI Overviews more obvious, too. Relevant links in AI responses will be highlighted and appear right next to the information. Google is also rolling out a feature that will highlight links in AI Overviews from news sources that a user subscribes to. According to Google, in its testing of the feature, users were more likely to click links for sources that they were already subscribed to.

Google Search's latest updates aim to turn AI responses into a starting point, not a dead end

Five new features, including a Further Exploration section and inline link previews, are designed to get users clicking through to websites from AI Mode and AI Overviews. Google's AI-powered Search features have fundamentally changed how we look stuff up. Instead of scrolling through the search results, most of us now just read the AI Overview and move on. Google wants to change that. The company is rolling out five updates to AI Mode and AI Overviews designed to surface more links and give users more reasons to click through to the websites behind them. Further Exploration and inline links The most notable addition is Further Exploration, a new section that appears at the end of AI Overviews with curated links to specific articles, case studies, or reports related to the query. For example, Google says if you search for how cities have added green space, you might see links to a stream restoration project in Seoul or a report on how architects designed New York's High Line park. This should give users a reason to keep exploring instead of closing the tab after reading the overview. Google is also placing more links directly within AI responses, next to the relevant text, rather than grouped at the bottom. The company explains that searching for a California bike trip, for instance, might surface a link to a Pacific Coast touring guide next to a bullet point about terrain, and a training blog post next to a bullet point about daily mileage. This will give users a more direct path from the AI answer to the source material behind it. On desktop, hovering over any inline link will trigger a preview showing the website name and page title, which is aimed at giving users more confidence about visiting the website. Google's internal testing found that users were more hesitant to follow links when they could not tell where they led, so the preview removes that friction before the click. Subscriptions and community perspectives AI Mode and AI Overviews will now label links from a user's active news subscriptions so they stand out in results. Google says early testing showed users were significantly more likely to click those labeled links. For subscribers, it means the publications they already pay for will be easier to find inside AI search results rather than buried below them. AI responses will also begin surfacing previews of perspectives from public forums, like Reddit, social media, and firsthand sources, with added context like a creator's handle or community name. A search about photographing the northern lights, for example, might surface tips from a specific photography forum, with a link to the full discussion thread. Thanks to this, users who want real-world advice rather than a synthesized summary will have a clearer path to the people who have actually been there. The bigger picture These updates also carry real stakes for publishers. AI Overviews have raised concerns across the media industry about declining referral traffic, and these features are Google's most direct attempt yet to show that AI search and the open web can coexist. Whether they move the needle on click-through rates will be worth watching. Recommended Videos AI Overview accuracy, however, remains an open question. It has a history of confidently stating wrong information, and the featured image for this story is a reminder of that: it misidentifies today's date as May 20, 2025. Getting users to click through to publishers may be a step in the right direction, but it's hard to fully trust a guide that does not always know what day it is.

Google expands AI Overviews with forum and community insights

Google announced five updates to AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search, aimed at enhancing context and highlighting relevant links. A key aspect of this announcement is Google's plan to leverage social media posts and online discussions as sources of expert advice. The search engine will include content from individuals deemed to offer "expert advice," though the criteria for determining expertise remain unclear. Google suggested that users with firsthand experience of a specific destination or event could qualify as experts. For instance, when searching for tips on photographing the Northern Lights, Google may feature quotes from a photography forum about exposure settings, accompanied by clickable links to engage with the community. Additionally, Google has enhanced AI search links by displaying relevant context such as the creator's name, handle, or community name. This allows users to identify which discussions they may want to participate in. Links will now also appear directly in AI responses for users seeking more in-depth information on particular topics. For example, a search for a California bike trip can yield bulleted points about the route, alongside links to pertinent guides or blog posts. This update enables users to find links adjacent to relevant bulleted points, thereby improving the overall search experience. From an advertising perspective, these changes shift search from a "keyword bidding" model to an "intent-matching" model, allowing brands to connect with consumers even if the overall click volume for basic queries declines. Google intends to continue refining how links are presented and ranked within generative AI search experiences, utilizing techniques like query fan-out to locate the most relevant sites for users' searches.

Google AI Overviews now show what actual people think, not just what AI says - Phandroid

You've probably added "Reddit" to a Google search at some point. Google has noticed. The company just updated Google AI Overviews to surface real perspectives from forums, social media, and public online discussions. They now appear directly inside AI-generated results. Google VP Hema Budaraju announced the change in a blog post on May 6. The new section shows up under labels like "Expert Advice" or "Community Perspectives" depending on the query. Not every search will trigger it. Each result includes the creator's name, handle, or community so you know what you're clicking before you click it. Google's reasoning is simple: people increasingly want advice from other people, not just a machine-generated summary. The firsthand perspectives feature is one of several updates. Google is also adding a "Further Exploration" section at the end of AI responses. It suggests articles for going deeper on the topic. Subscribed news will now get a "Subscribed" label in both AI Mode and Google AI Overviews, which pushes them higher in results. Google is also embedding more inline links inside AI responses rather than just stacking them at the end. None of this comes out of nowhere. Google has been featuring Reddit heavily in standard search results for a while now. AI Mode has pulled from web content since launch. What's new is that Google AI Overviews now pull firsthand content into the AI summary itself, not below it. For searches where real experience matters, like product opinions, travel picks, or health questions, that probably makes sense. Whether the results end up being genuinely useful or just the most upvoted takes is something we'll find out.

Google's AI search just got a lot more useful -- but make sure to vet those "experts"

When not writing, Dave enjoys spending time with his family, running, playing the guitar, camping, and serving in his community. His favorite place is the Blue Ridge Mountains, and one day he hopes to retire there (hopefully his fear of heights will have retired by then, too!). Summary Google has added several new features to its AI Overviews and AI Mode search tools. Most of the features focus on bringing source links to the forefront, while others offer additional insights or further reading. These features are rolling out now. Google's AI search features have been more than a little controversial, but they're also rather useful -- as long as you check your sources. On May 6, Google announced several improvements to AI Overviews and AI Mode that should make the tools even better. Related I changed how I search on Google, and it actually works better now These simple search tweaks helped me get better results without ditching Google. Posts 1 By Tashreef Shareef What's new in AI search? Google has announced five new features for AI Overview and AI Mode. Further Exploration links You'll now see suggestions for further reading at the end of AI responses, in a section called Further Exploration. Links can include "unique articles or in-depth analyses on different facets of your topic." In Google's example, if you search for info on how cities are adding more green space, you might get related case studies or reports from architects. Highlighting news sources you're subscribed to You know how you can hover over links in Google's AI Mode or Overview, and it'll show a little preview? That preview will now show a Subscribed checkmark if the link is to a source you subscribe to (provided the publication is linked to your Google account). The label also shows up in the source list off to the side. This lets you quickly see at a glance if the source is familiar to you (presumably, you'd trust any sources you're subscribed to). Advice from first-hand sources This one might be a little controversial. Google will now surface "perspectives from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources." These perspectives include context on the source, such as a name or the site the opinion came from. The provided examples include links from photography forums and Reddit threads. More prominent links to additional resources Google is making links to sources more prominent throughout the AI Overview and AI Mode. For example, if the text is about daily cycling mileage, you might see a link to a relevant blog post. This makes it a lot easier to see where Google is getting its information, and also makes it easier to click through and get more details. More context for linked websites Finally, Google is expanding how much context is shown when you hover over inline links. The little pop-up cards will now show the names of sites and the title of the page, so you can more easily determine if it's reputable and worth clicking on (you can also use Google to search specific sites with these shortcuts). Related Your Google Search widget has 3 hidden features you're probably missing The Google search widget has a lot of customization options you're probably ignoring. Posts By Brandon Miniman How useful are these changes? Some good stuff, but beware the experts Overall, these are solid improvements to Google's AI search tools (though if you're searching on your phone, you should try Samsung's Finder instead). In particular, the greater prominence and enhanced context for source links should make it much easier to vet the info Google is providing, which is always my concern when using these tools. Further Exploration could be useful for those who like to dive deep into topics. Subscribe to our newsletter for AI search clarity Want better context? Subscribe to the newsletter to get clear, practical breakdowns of AI search features, guidance on vetting linked sources, and curated links to further reading so you can assess AI-generated results with more confidence. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. The first-hand insights are... interesting. The idea isn't bad, but it's presented in a box prominently labeled Expert Advice. The big question mark here is how Google decides who's an expert. How do they know that person on Reddit has any idea what they're talking about? I've had these AI tools give me obviously incorrect information before, so my confidence level in whatever vetting system is in place is somewhat low. Do you use Google's AI search tools? Let us know your opinions on these changes in the comments below!

Google Is Adding These New Features to AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search

Expert advice will be curated from online discussions and social media Google has been frequently updating its artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Search, namely AI Overviews and AI Mode. After releasing agentic capabilities and new features in the Google app for Windows and Chrome browser, the Mountain View-based tech giant has now introduced five more features focused on usability and ease of access. Users can now check expert advice, easily view their preferred sources, get link previews, and see personalised deep dive suggestions. These new features are now rolling out to users globally. AI Overviews, AI Mode in Search Get New Features In a blog post, the tech giant announced and detailed five new features coming to users in the coming days. Most of the features focus on quality-of-life improvements, but the company also increases usability. "These experiences are most helpful when they make it easy for you to connect with authentic voices and explore useful information across the web," said Hema Budaraju, Vice President, Product Management, Search at Google. The first new feature allows users to dive deeper into their query via a set of curated suggestions. Now, whenever Gemini answers a question, it will also surface links to unique articles or in-depth analyses to help users learn more about the topic. Google says this turns topic exploration into focused knowledge gathering. Google is also making it easier to spot your preferred sources in citations. Whenever an AI Mode or AI Overview response contains information from the user's news subscriptions, users will see a specific tick mark and a label to recognise it quickly. This also makes it easier for users to access content from a trusted source. Expert advice is perhaps the most exciting update coming from Google. So far, AI Overviews and AI Mode would only provide factual information, sourced from different websites. But now, the company is adding opinions and reviews from people who have used a product, visited a location, or have expertise in a specific domain. These are being sourced from public online discussions, social media, and other firsthand sources. The tech giant says this will also contain a creator's name, handle, or community name to help the user decide if they want to read it. Another new addition is the visibility of more citations across the response. Users can now see the URL icon (link chain) next to bullet points and after shorter paragraphs. The company says the addition of more citations not only makes the response more credible but also lets users switch to the website whenever they wish to. Finally, Google is also implementing website previews when users hover their cursor on an inline link on either of the AI experiences in Search. This is currently only available on desktop, and lets users see the name of the website and the title of the web page to give the user a better idea of what they are going to click on. The feature also aims to make people feel more confident when they view a helpful website.

Google updates AI Mode and AI Overviews with new links, subscriptions, and community insights

Google is rolling out updates to AI Mode and AI Overviews in Search to help users find relevant websites, deeper insights, and original content from across the web. With ongoing advances in AI, Google is improving its generative AI experiences in Search, including AI Mode and AI Overviews. These experiences are designed to help users connect with authentic sources and explore information across the web. Google is also enhancing how links appear in AI Search results and introducing new ways to help users access sources, brands, and websites they value, said Hema Budaraju, Vice President, Product Management, Search. Here are five updates being introduced to support deeper web exploration: AI responses will now include suggestions at the end of results to help users continue exploring a topic. These suggestions point to articles and in-depth analysis covering different aspects of the same subject, allowing users to expand their research beyond the initial query. For example, a search on urban green spaces may surface case studies such as stream restoration projects in Seoul or design reports on New York's High Line park. Google is introducing a feature that highlights links from users' news subscriptions within AI Mode and AI Overviews. This allows users to quickly access content from sources they already subscribe to. For publishers, a form is available to learn more about connecting subscriptions with Google. In early testing, users showed higher engagement with links labeled as subscription content. AI responses will now include previews of public discussions, social media posts, and other firsthand sources. These previews provide context from people sharing real experiences and advice. Additional details such as creator names, handles, or community identifiers will be shown alongside links, helping users understand the source before opening it. For example, photography forum discussions may appear when users search for tips on capturing the northern lights. Google is adding more inline links directly inside AI-generated responses. These links appear next to relevant information within the response itself, allowing users to access sources while reading. For example, a search about a California bike trip may include links to cycling guides alongside terrain-related points, or training resources next to daily distance recommendations. On desktop, users will now see a preview when hovering over links in AI responses. The preview includes basic information such as the website name and page title. This helps users understand the destination of a link before clicking and provides additional context while browsing AI-generated answers. Google continues to enhance how links are ranked and displayed in generative AI Search using methods such as query fan-out. This approach expands search queries internally to identify more relevant sources across the web. By improving link visibility and showcasing original voices, Google is building AI in Search to help users discover the richness of the web, connecting them directly with the sources, brands, and creators they're looking for. The company continues to test, learn, and refine these features based on what works best for users.

Google adds direct links, forums, subscription news to AI Search

Google is expanding its AI-powered Search features by adding more direct links, user discussion snippets, and subscription-based news content into AI-generated answers, even as concerns over the accuracy of those responses continue to grow. In a blog post published on May 6, Google said its AI Mode and AI Overviews will now show quotes and links from online discussions, social media posts, blogs, forums, and other "firsthand sources". The company is also introducing labels for articles from users' paid news subscriptions and adding more inline links inside AI responses to help users "explore the web" further. Google said the changes are aimed at helping users find "authentic voices" and "original content" more easily. The company also plans to show previews of websites when users hover over links in AI responses on desktop. Google Pushes AI Search Further: The update comes as Google faces continued criticism over the reliability of AI Overviews, which were rolled out widely in 2024 and now appear at the top of many Search results. A recent The New York Times investigation found that more than 4,300 Google search queries tested by AI startup Oumi had AI-generated answers that were accurate about 91% of the time. But the report said that error rate could still translate into "hundreds of thousands of inaccuracies every minute" because Google processes more than 5 trillion searches annually. The report also found that Google's AI Overviews often cited sources that did not fully support the claims made in the answers. According to the analysis, Google frequently pulled information from Facebook and Reddit, especially in responses that contained inaccuracies. Separate studies have also raised concerns about the impact of AI Overviews on publishers and websites. A February 2026 study by marketing platform Ahrefs found that AI Overviews reduced click-through rates for top-ranking search results by 58%, as users increasingly got answers directly on Google instead of visiting external websites. Earlier Controversies Around AI Overviews: Google's AI search tools have repeatedly faced criticism for generating misleading or false answers. Soon after AI Overviews launched in May 2024, users shared examples of inaccurate responses, including suggestions to eat "at least one rock per day" and advice to use glue on pizza to stop cheese from sliding off. In another case, the system incorrectly claimed former US President Barack Obama was Muslim. At the time, Google said many viral screenshots were fake or edited, while some genuine failures happened because the system was responding to "uncommon queries" with limited reliable information online. The company described these situations as "information gaps", where the AI could pull answers from satirical posts, jokes, or unreliable user-generated content. Google later said it had updated its systems to reduce the appearance of satire, humour, and misleading forum content in AI answers. Errors, Hallucinations, and Source Concerns: Despite those changes, concerns around hallucinations and unreliable sourcing remain. The New York Times report documented several cases where AI Overviews gave incorrect or contradictory information despite linking to seemingly reliable sources. In one example, Google incorrectly stated there was "no single entity known as the 'Classical Music Hall of Fame'" while linking to a website that listed Yo-Yo Ma as an inductee. Google's AI search tools have repeatedly faced criticism for generating misleading or false answers. The company still warns users below AI responses that "A.I. can make mistakes, so double-check responses." Google defended its system and criticised Oumi's methodology. "This study has serious holes," Google spokesperson Ned Adriance said. "It doesn't reflect what people are actually searching on Google." At the same time, Google appears to be leaning further into AI-generated Search rather than scaling it back. The company said it is improving how links are surfaced inside AI answers and using techniques such as "query fan-out" to pull information from a wider range of websites and discussions across the web.