Google’s AI Overviews are now showing up on breaking news searches and pushing the Top Stories carousel down the page in some cases.
That might seem like a minor layout change at first glance. But for news publishers who depend on quick visibility during fast-moving events, it represents a real blow. They have already been fighting for every bit of traffic, and now even this spot feels less reliable.
Screenshots shared by Glenn Gabe on X show this change clearly. When he searched for “Gerrit Cole returns,” Google’s AI summary appeared right at the top, with the Top Stories box dropping below it. The same thing happened with “Uber Rivian.” In both cases, the AI Overview took the prime position that news outlets used to count on.
Top Stories used to be one of the few areas where publishers could still get fairly direct exposure during live events. If AI Overviews are moving into that space as well, Google starts to feel less like a search engine and more like the very first publisher users encounter.
We saw this coming. An earlier report based on HouseFresh data showed that nearly four out of five publishers lost traffic after June 2023, and almost half dropped by 60 percent or more. The same analysis noted that Google’s AI summaries often pull from manufacturer statements and other easy sources. That approach already hurts in shopping results, but it becomes even more problematic in breaking news, where facts can shift by the hour.
The larger trend makes it harder to overlook. Google keeps expanding AI Overviews and even introduced AI Mode as part of its Gemini 2.0 rollout. The company now says more than a billion people use these features.
Smaller publishers are feeling this pressure right after the Helpful Content Update wiped out so much of their traffic and trust. Many came away believing that the traffic levels they enjoyed before 2023 would not return anytime soon, if at all.
Traditional blue links have been fading for a while. Now even the Top Stories box looks vulnerable…
Featured image generated with AI
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Dwayne Cubbins
1448 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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