# Gemini 3.8 Flash cites fewer sources in Google AI Mode

Published: 2026-09-03T12:47:41.458Z · Source: Search Engine Roundtable (https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-mode-gemini-38-no-links-42011.html)
Source date: 2026-09-03
Flags: single-source — confirmation pending
Entities: gemini, google, ai-mode

SEO practitioners Gagan Ghotra and Glenn Gabe reported that Google AI Mode responses generated on the newly rolled-out Gemini 3.8 Flash model show markedly fewer links and citations than before, per Search Engine Roundtable. Ghotra posted screenshots of top-of-funnel AI Mode queries returning no source links at all, and Gabe compared 3.8 Flash responses against the default model to show the gap. Google had rolled Gemini 3.8 Flash out to AI Mode a day earlier, on September 2.

Why it matters: If confirmed, sites tuned for AI Mode citations lose visibility every time Google swaps the underlying model — the fourth such swap on our record in six weeks.

## What this answers

**Does Gemini 3.8 Flash in Google AI Mode show fewer citations?**

SEO practitioners Gagan Ghotra and Glenn Gabe reported AI Mode responses running on Gemini 3.8 Flash showing no links or citations on several top-of-funnel queries, per Search Engine Roundtable.


Canonical: https://anythingengineoptimization.com/item/2026-09-03-gemini-3-8-flash-cites-fewer-sources-in-google-ai-mode/
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