Google has begun testing a new set of AI-driven features designed to change how readers interact with news on its platform. The company revealed that a select group of publishers have joined a pilot program where AI-generated overviews appear on their dedicated Google News pages.
Several well-known international outlets are participating in this early trial, including Der Spiegel, The Guardian, El País, Kompas, Folha, Infobae, The Times of India, The Washington Post, and The Washington Examiner. Google says this initiative is part of a broader effort to understand how artificial intelligence can enhance audience engagement and support publishers.
The core feature being tested is an AI-created summary that appears above an article before a user opens it. These short overviews are intended to offer additional background so readers can better understand what a story covers at a glance. Google acknowledges that summaries may slightly reduce click-through traffic, but publishers in the program will receive direct compensation to offset potential declines.
Importantly, these AI overviews are confined to the Google News pages of participating outlets. They won’t appear elsewhere on Google News or within regular search results.
This isn’t Google’s first move into AI-supported news formats. Earlier this year, a similar approach was introduced in the Discover feed of the Google app, where major stories now come with a brief AI summary referencing multiple sources. In addition to the written features, Google is also trying out audio briefings for users who prefer listening instead of reading, with clear attribution and links to original reporting.
Another part of the pilot involves partnerships with news agencies such as The Associated Press, Yonhap, Estadão, and Antara. Their real-time reporting will help strengthen results and content quality inside the Gemini app, Google’s AI assistant.
As part of Wednesday’s announcement, Google also revealed that its “Preferred Sources” feature — previously available only in India and the U.S. — is now expanding worldwide for English-language users. This tool lets people select which outlets they want prioritized in the Top Stories section of search results, with support for more languages planned for next year.
Additionally, Google will soon showcase links from users’ active news subscriptions in a special carousel within Gemini. AI Overviews and AI Mode integration will follow shortly after. The company is also increasing the number of inline links in AI Mode and adding brief “contextual introductions” that explain why each link may be useful.
