Google is testing a thinner design for the citations/link panel on the right side of the AI Overview. The citations panel is noticeably thinner and may be less noticeable to searchers, maybe leading to fewer clicks?
This was spotted by Khushal Bherwani who posted on X saying, "Google AI reference left side panel with different style."
I am able to replicate it, here is the new thinner style:
This is the normal width:
I am not sure if making links and citations is a good strategy to make the publishing world love you, Google.
Forum discussion at X.
