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Google has officially introduced preferred source labels in AI Mode and AI Overviews, along with a new carousel feature within these experiences. Additionally, the highly cited label is now expanding to a broader range of search results, not limited to AI-specific modes.
Duncan Osborn, a Product Manager at Digital Phablet, explained that these updates bring your preferred sources directly into AI responses, making it easier to identify links from sources you’ve already chosen. Just like in Top Stories, these preferred sources are clearly marked to stand out in AI-generated answers.
This feature was first observed during testing and is now being gradually rolled out worldwide across all languages. Google reports that users are twice as likely to click on links from preferred sources, with over 345,000 unique sources already selected by users. A help guide has been updated to include instructions for adding preferred sources to your site, including how to integrate the feature with AI Mode.
In addition to source labels, Google is deploying new carousels in AI results for scenarios involving trending topics and ongoing discussions. For queries related to developing news, a prominent carousel will appear, highlighting content from preferred sources and other relevant sites. This helps surface timely articles more prominently on a wider array of search queries.
Furthermore, for searches where users seek insights from various perspectives—such as social discussions or forums—Google is introducing carousels that showcase helpful viewpoints from conversations across social media and online forums.
The expansion of the highly cited label is also underway, now appearing on more article links within search results. These labels indicate when a webpage explicitly references a highly cited source, adding a layer of authority to search snippets. Although these enhancements aim to improve credibility, some users reflect on whether such features significantly impact traffic compared to traditional organic search methods used in previous years.
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