Google No Longer Tests Links In Snapshot Answers For Search Generative Experience

If you are one of our readers, you know that we have already shared that Google is testing SGE’s AI-generated answers. Google’s AI-generated snapshot answers initially included links and citations.

Finally, it is over. Google has ended the test of showing links or citations in AI-generated answers.

People who were part of the test noticed that links were removed from AI-generated responses.

Before:  

After:

People have also posted on Twitter about the removal of links.

Have GSE content/citation links been removed?

Maybe an okay thing until better baked out. Noticed soo many that were wrong/out of context (on-page text didn't support the GSE content). cc @JohnMu @lilyraynyc @rustybrick

— Britney Muller 🇺🇦 (@BritneyMuller) August 17, 2023

@rustybrick @lilyraynyc @glenngabe The outbound links have disappeared from my SGE. Have you noticed this happening with your search results as well?https://t.co/lmhJmThlEm pic.twitter.com/CVO9P6Enz2

— Kenichi Suzuki💫鈴木謙一 (@suzukik) August 17, 2023

Users found the presence of links in AI-generated answers useful for accessing source information.

Google’s Search Liaison stated that corroborating links are still available, and the experimenting with different formats will continue.