Google is testing a new ad format inside AI Mode that displays sitelinks beneath sponsored placements, according to a screenshot shared by advertiser Anthony Higman on X and surfaced by Search Engine Roundtable founder Barry Schwartz.

Higman, who first spotted the format, wrote: "New Ai Mode Ad Format? With Site Links? Their AI Mode Monetization Strategy Is Heatin Up." The screenshot shows a Google Ads placement within AI Mode accompanied by what appear to be sitelinks — additional clickable links directing users to deeper pages on the advertiser's site, a format long familiar from traditional Google Search ads.

What the screenshot shows

The format resembles classic expanded text ad sitelinks, but rendered within the AI Mode interface rather than standard search results. Schwartz, who flagged the discovery, noted his own uncertainty about the implementation. "I am not sure, but this sitelink format looks 'off' to me - not sure why," he wrote.

That hedge matters. Google has not confirmed the format, announced a rollout, or published documentation for sitelinks in AI Mode. This is an observed test, not a confirmed feature launch, and Google routinely experiments with ad layouts that never reach general availability.

Context: ads are spreading through AI Mode

Google Ads now appear frequently within AI Mode, and the company is actively testing multiple ad formats across the experience. The goal, according to Schwartz's reporting, is straightforward: Google wants to identify which formats drive the highest click-through rate. That stands in contrast to organic links in AI Mode, which users click at far lower rates.

The monetization pressure is real. AI Mode replaces the traditional list of ten blue links with an AI-generated response, compressing the space where ads traditionally lived. Google needs ad formats that survive that shift, and sitelinks are one of the highest-engagement extensions in standard Search Ads. Porting them into AI Mode is a logical experiment.

What this means for advertisers

For search marketers, the test signals two things. First, Google is treating AI Mode as a serious revenue surface, not a lab project — monetization experiments are already iterating on format design. Second, advertisers who have invested in well-structured sitelink extensions in their campaigns may see those assets surface in AI Mode placements as tests mature.

Advertisers running campaigns eligible for AI Mode placements should watch their placement reports for AI Mode inventory and track CTR differences against standard Search Ads performance. No advertiser action is required yet, since the format remains unconfirmed and possibly limited to a small test population.

Confirmed versus speculative

To separate what is known from what is not: confirmed is that Google Ads run within AI Mode and that Google is testing varied ad formats there. Observed but unconfirmed is the sitelink format itself, which rests on a single advertiser screenshot. Anything about rollout timing, eligibility, or performance impact remains speculation until Google comments.

What to watch next

Expect more format variants to surface in the coming weeks as Google's CTR testing continues. Watch for whether Google confirms sitelinks in AI Mode, whether the format expands beyond the initial test group, and how AI Mode ad CTR compares to standard Search Ads once Google reports on it.