Key Points:
- Google introduces AI-driven “Overviews” in Search, marking a significant shift in the search experience.
- The rollout begins today for users in the US, with plans to reach over a billion users worldwide by the end of 2024.
- The new feature, powered by Gemini, aims to streamline search results and offer concise AI-generated summaries, potentially impacting website traffic dynamics.
Google is ushering in a new era of search with the official launch of AI-powered “Overviews” in Search. After a year-long stint in Labs, the Search Generative Experience (SGE) is now primed for widespread adoption, promising to revolutionize how users interact with search results.
Unveiled initially at I/O 2023, SGE combines generative AI technology with real-time search data to furnish users with succinct summaries and answers tailored to their queries. Following extensive testing and positive feedback, Google is rolling out the feature to all users, starting today.
Powered by Gemini, this innovative search experience prioritizes AI-generated Overviews over traditional search results, offering a curated selection of links pertinent to the user’s query. While not omnipresent, these Overviews dynamically appear upon expanding the AI-generated response.
Google’s rollout commences with users in the US, with plans for global expansion shortly. Despite concerns about its potential impact on website traffic, Google asserts that Overviews garner more clicks compared to conventional search results. Moreover, the company pledges to maintain a focus on driving traffic to publishers and creators amidst the evolution of search dynamics.
In addition to the broader rollout, Google teases forthcoming features currently in testing through Labs. These include language simplification, multi-step reasoning, planning capabilities, AI-driven organization of search results, and integration of video content into search prompts. This marks just the beginning of Google’s vision for the future of Search, with more innovations on the horizon.
