Google AI Mode Gemini 3.8 Flash Not Link / Citation Friendly?

Google's AI Mode running Gemini 3.8 Flash is showing fewer links and citations than previous models, according to early tests by search marketers Gagan Ghotra and Glenn Gabe. Ghotra shared examples on X of top-of-the-funnel queries returning no citations, and Gabe confirmed the behavior in side-by-side comparisons. Google has not yet commented on the issue.

As you know, Google rolled out Gemini 3.8 Flash for subscribers to AI Mode https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-ai-mode-gemini-38-42009.html and some have started to play with it. And the early feedback is that AI Mode running Gemini 3.8 Flash is not link or citation friendly. Meaning, AI Mode with Google's latest AI model is less likely to cite sources and link to sources than previous models. Gagan Ghotra posted numerous examples of searches he conducted in AI Mode for top-of-the-funnel queries, and none of them showed any links or citations. Here are some of the screenshots he posted on X https://x.com/gaganghotra /status/2095298509469810837 : More examples from Glenn Gabe: Whoa, Gagan is right. See below between default model and 3.8 Flash. What is going on here? First is 3.8 Flash and second is default model. — Glenn Gabe @glenngabe @rmstein @rajanpatel https://t.co/EH958CMDOn pic.twitter.com/VIY201Mbva September 3, 2026 I am not sure why this would be and I hope this is something that Google can fix soon. Forum discussion at X https://x.com/gaganghotra /status/2095298509469810837 .