Google AI Mode Also Gains Link Carousels For Developing Topics

Google has expanded link carousels for developing topics to AI Mode, following their earlier rollout in AI Overviews, as announced by Robby Stein on X. The carousels display web pages directly in AI Mode responses, aiming to connect users with original coverage and diverse perspectives, though some publishers, like Inspired Taste, criticize AI search for replacing them.

Back in June, Google released link carousels for top stories or developing topics to AI Overviews https://www.seroundtable.com/google-top-stories-ai-overviews-41583.html . I was happy. Now, Google is also releasing this for AI Mode queries, which adds carousels of web pages directly in the AI Mode response. I am happy again. Robby Stein from Google wrote on X https://x.com/rmstein/status/2092282973341245839 , "Now live in AI Mode already in AI Overviews : link carousels for developing topics." Here is his screenshot of the link carousels in AI Mode: Robby added the PR line, "Our goal with AI Search is to make it easy to connect with original coverage and a range of perspectives." Not everyone is happy with this but I do think this is a step up from not having link cards. Here is Adam from Inspired Taste's take on this: AIOs are even worse — Inspired Taste @inspiredtaste @rmstein . AI search is being used to directly replace publishers. The query in this example, “baked apples recipe inspired taste”. Our link is pushed down by an AIO with a full AI recipe confidently claiming to be ours. This has to stop @rmstein & @rajanpatel . pic.twitter.com/GWjOx25dXX August 25, 2026 But again, I do think this is an improvement and I'd like to see more of this... Forum discussion at X https://x.com/rmstein/status/2092282973341245839 .