Google has rolled out a major update to its AI Overviews feature, now displaying top stories and news updates for relevant searches. This change is expected to increase clicks to news publishers and improve their visibility in AI search results.

A recent study found that hidden gem publishers have 1.7x higher audience affinity than major media outlets, despite attracting 130x less traffic. This discovery can significantly impact your 2026 earned media strategy. Entity authority is becoming increasingly important in AI-driven search, shaping brand visibility and requiring a shift in digital PR strategies.