Google’s search app for Android is preparing to enhance transparency and credibility in its AI-powered search summaries by making source attribution more accessible to users.
Key development: New code within Google’s beta app indicates upcoming changes to how AI-generated overviews display their source material.
- The feature appears in the Google app beta v15.47.28 for Android, suggesting imminent implementation of direct source linking within Gemini’s AI-generated summaries
- Currently, users must take extra steps through the Google “G” icon to verify sources, which can be cumbersome and counterproductive
- The new implementation would mirror the mobile web experience, where sources are more readily accessible
Technical implementation: The update aims to streamline source verification by integrating direct links within AI-generated content.
- An expand icon will appear at the bottom right of AI overviews, adjacent to the Source and Related Content section
- Users can access a comprehensive list of sources and related content from various websites directly within the interface
- This approach aligns with Google’s existing web-based AI overview implementation
User impact: The planned changes address key user concerns about AI-generated content reliability and verification.
- Many users currently disable AI overviews due to accuracy concerns and the need for manual fact-checking
- Direct source linking could help restore user confidence by making verification more straightforward
- The feature could bridge the gap between convenience and accuracy that currently exists in AI-powered search results
Future outlook: While this feature is still in testing phase and its final implementation remains uncertain, its alignment with Google’s web-based approach suggests a strong likelihood of eventual release.
- The development reflects Google’s broader commitment to improving transparency in AI-generated content
- Success of this feature could influence future developments in how AI search tools handle source attribution and verification
- The timing of the full release remains unclear, though the presence in beta testing suggests active development
Looking ahead: This potential update represents an important step toward balancing the convenience of AI-generated summaries with the critical need for verifiable information, though its true impact will depend on user adoption and the effectiveness of the implementation.
AI Overviews in the Google app could get a much-needed fact-check boost (APK Teardown)