Google is piloting a new AI-powered search interface that removes the 'Expand' button and introduces a direct question field. Early tests show users find answers faster and engage more. Publishers and SEOs should monitor for changes in traffic and visibility.
Google is testing a new version of its AI Overviews in search results, removing the usual 'Expand' button and adding a visible 'Ask a question' field right on the results page. This update encourages users to interact with AI-generated answers directly, without extra clicks or barriers.
Google says the redesigned interface lets AI Overviews expand automatically to show topics the system predicts will be most helpful. Instead of fixed summaries, the AI can adjust its output in real time, offering more detail or broader context based on what users seem to want. Google spokesperson Jennifer Kutz told The Verge that "for some queries, AI Overviews may dynamically expand," and that this auto-expansion stops if the user starts scrolling, so it doesn't interrupt their reading.
In published examples, the expanded AI Overview block now occupies significantly more space at the top of the search results page, pushing traditional organic links further down and making them less visible.
Google's internal research suggests this approach helps people find information faster and keeps them engaged. Early testers said they got answers more quickly and were more likely to ask follow-up questions, hinting at a shift in how people use search. According to The Verge, the feature isn't available to everyone yet-it's only turned on for certain queries where Google thinks it will be especially useful.
For publishers and SEO professionals, these changes could affect how users reach third-party sites. Removing the 'Expand' button and adding a direct question prompt may make it easier for users to stay within Google's results, which could change how much traffic goes to external pages. Past updates, like the introduction of link carousels in AI Mode for trending topics, have already shifted how users find top stories and trending content. If AI Overviews expand automatically, users may spend more time in Google's answer box, which could delay or reduce visits to other websites.
Editorial teams now face a new challenge: optimizing not just for traditional rankings, but also for AI-driven engagement. The move toward a more conversational search experience means content creators need to consider how their material appears in AI summaries and follow-up prompts. Google's ongoing experiments are speeding up the shift toward search that blends AI and chat-like interfaces, pushing publishers to rethink how they attract and keep audiences.
On August 31, 2026, 9to5Google reported that the expanded AI Overviews are already visible for some queries, with the AI-generated block becoming noticeably larger and effectively transforming the top of the SERP into an AI answer. This development is part of a broader trend, as Google has repeatedly tested interface changes in AI search, moving toward a more chat-like experience with fewer clicks and more follow-up questions directly in the results.
- 9to5Google
Google's latest test shows the company is betting on AI to change how people get information at the source. While this could make searching easier for users, it also brings new uncertainty for publishers and SEOs who rely on steady traffic. Those who adapt quickly-using structured data and conversational content-will have a better chance of staying visible as search becomes more dynamic.
Google Search still handles over 8.5 billion queries a day as of 2025. Since launching AI Overviews in 2024, the company has invested heavily in AI-powered search, with more people using generative search features than older updates. As Google keeps changing its interface, the balance between user convenience and publisher visibility will remain a key issue for the digital world.
