This has a very high probability being a direct response to ChatGPT. Assuming that Google had done the preparation for something like this in advance. And I wouldn't be surprised if they did since people talk and I don't think ChatGPT was a major secret in inner circles. Sadly, it's only speculation from my part.

The first update, and the first introduction to this kind of an update, was back in August. [0]

[0]: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2022/08/helpful-co...