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Google’s AI Overview in search results makes it easy to find what you’re looking for using generative AI. But Google’s Gemini model, used to power the feature, isn’t just making stuff up. It sources information from various sites on the web and pieces it together.
If you need to scrutinize the primary sources of information for credibility or other purposes, read on.
How to Add a Bookmark in Chrome for Scraping Google AI Overview Sources
To source information from Google’s AI Overview, we’ll use a custom script created by developer James McNulty frompylic—many thanks to James for this. Once added as a bookmark to your browser, it automatically gets the sources used to createAI Overviews in Google Search.
To get started, we’ll start by adding the custom script as a bookmark.
Open Chrome and click thethree-dotmenu in the top right. Next, selectBookmarks and lists > Bookmark Manager.
After that, click thethree-dotmenu in the top right of the bookmarks page and selectAdd new bookmarkfrom the pop-up.
Enter an appropriate name for the bookmark, then, in the script section, enter the following script:
For the best outcome, you should add the bookmark in the Bookmarks bar for ease of access in the follow-up section. Remember, you don’t have to use Google’s Chrome browser for this. You can use any browser as long as you find a way to create a bookmark manually.
How to Use the Bookmark to See Google AI Overview Sources
Now that we have the script added to our bookmarks, it’s time to use it to scrap Google AI Overview sources.
First, go to Google Search and enter a query, such as “How to change your name on Facebook.” If Google search shows you AI Overviews first, you’re set; otherwise, if there’s an option to generate, clickGenerate.
Once the AI Overview is displayed, click the saved bookmark from your Bookmarks bar. Immediately, a new tab will open, showing a list of all the sources used to generate the AI Overview in search results.
You’ll notice the order of the sources will be the same as what you’d see on the search results page by clicking the drop-down arrows in the AI Overview. The script makes it easy to view the sources of information if you prefer to go to the source instead of relying ongenerative AI.
You don’t have to use this script to get the sources. You can also click the drop-down arrows in the AI Overview to see the various sources individually. If you need a fast and easy way to get the sources, the script has you covered.
Google’s AI-powered snapshots can be convenient for getting your questions answered. However, it may not always be accurate, so it’s worth checking the sources and scrutinizing the information AI Overviews give you.
