Google Search is testing a new carousel named "Most-read articles." I guess Google is using click data to see which articles are being read the most. Or maybe Chrome or Google Analytics data? Maybe?
I cannot replicate this but Shameem Adhikarath posted a screenshot of this on X.
Here is that screenshot:
This was also spotted later on mobile via Brodie Clark:
I mean, how else does Google know what is "most-read" without using click data or some sort of tracking data for this search feature?
Forum discussion at X.