Google tests new smaller link card design in AI Overviews and AI Mode

Google is testing a new design for link cards, appearing in both AI Overviews and AI Mode. Previously, these cards showed a website title along with a description. Today, we spotted a version without a description, displayed in a smaller box instead of the larger block format used before.

Here is the new design in AI Overview.

Here is the new design in AI Mode.

Here is the old design for comparison.

This more compact design could allow Google to fit more link cards within the same space, though it also means users get less context about each link before clicking, since the description has been removed.

Image Credit: MrPaloma.com, CC BY-SA 3.0