Google has started showing ads in its AI mode, a shift from avoiding them to make the experience more engaging. These ads have a “sponsored” label and appear at the bottom of answers, similar to citations but not as prominent.
Google introduced AI mode a year ago, making it accessible for free to everyone. For those with Google One, advanced models like Gemini 3 Pro are available, providing an interactive UI. To encourage users, Google has been pushing them toward AI mode, possibly in anticipation of them switching to alternative search tools like ChatGPT.
The new ads appear at the bottom of answers and have a higher CTR than citations in regular search results. This change may be part of experiments or based on user behavior. As for clicks, it’s uncertain whether people will engage with AI mode ads as much as they do traditional links.
Meanwhile, security experts are gearing up for budget season, sharing their plans and priorities for 2026. The upcoming CISO Budget Benchmark report offers insights into strategic investments and emerging trends.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/artificial-intelligence/google-begins-showing-ads-in-ai-mode-ai-answers