Google buried the links in its AI answers
Google moved the source icons in AI Overviews down to the bottom of the answer, and definition searches now open the full AI answer by default. Both push the actual websites further out of sight.
Getting into AI answers
Google is pushing links in AI answers further down
Google has moved the source icons in AI Overviews (the AI written answer at the top of results) to the bottom of the answer, spotted by Barry Schwartz, who says it reduces clicks even more. Separately, Glenn Gabe says definition searches now show the AI answer fully expanded by default, where saved snapshots had it collapsed or absent recently.
Big heads-up for sites providing definitions and meanings.
Who this affects: Anyone whose pages explain terms, definitions or how something works.
- Search a few of your own terms and see what shows.
- Our take: track clicks on definition pages in Search Console.
ChatGPT can now build a sales agent from your site
ChatGPT's new business tools include an agent builder that reads your website and suggests what it should recommend to customers. Lily Ray says it pulls a lot of recommendations out of your site, so setup is low effort, but she would still customise it.
At this point, they get more insights from us, than us from them!
Who this affects: Any business that sells products or services online.
- Claim your business in ChatGPT and run the agent builder.
- Edit the auto-generated suggestions instead of accepting them as written.
Do not do this
Another AI company now bans faking your way into answers
Anthropic's policy against "deceptive campaigns or artificial activity" takes effect today, November 12, flagged by Glenn Gabe. He says it will be interesting to see whether sites using risky tactics to game visibility in Claude get hit, and Lily Ray agrees it is worth watching. Nobody has reported any site being affected yet.
Who this affects: Anyone paying for tricks to get mentioned by AI chatbots.
- Do nothing unless you are buying fake mentions or activity.