Google is now being urged by the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to reflect clearer links that showcase sources better whenever they share AI search results to users.
The UK regulator wants sources to be clear and easily accessible for users when appearing on Google's AI search features like AI Overviews, which offer summaries of results.
Google Urged to Put Clearer Links in AI Results
The United Kingdom's CMA announced that it is mandating a new conduct requirement for Google Search. The internet company is now required to make links clearer and distinguishable in its AI search results.
"Today, we have introduced a world‑first requirement on Google's search services in the UK, enabling fair treatment, greater transparency and meaningful choice for businesses and consumers," said Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA.
All AI-generated search results from Google's search products are now required by the CMA to properly attribute these links to sources. CMA says that this applies to both its AI Overviews and AI Mode features.
CMA claims that its latest mandate stems from a recent major overhaul of Google's search experiences, pointing to the massive changes announced during the I/O 2026 event.
According to the CMA, these changes "could fundamentally change how search results are presented to users in the UK," hence the order from the authorities for Google.
UK Sets Precedent for AI Search
According to the CMA, it is now rolling out a world-first mandate that allows publishers to take control of their links and content, now giving them effective tools that will help prevent unauthorized use of their content for AI features.
Under the new mandate, the CMA said that Google is also ordered to allow publishers to opt out of having their content used for "fine-tuning" AI models, giving them full control over AI use-cases with regard to their content.
According to the authorities, it will now take an active role and oversee Google's application of these changes. It is now giving the tech company nine months to fulfill these changes in order to avoid serious repercussions.
Originally published on Tech Times
