Google has announced significant changes to its search engine, introducing more artificial intelligence features that will allow users to voice questions about images and occasionally organize entire search result pages. This move marks the next phase in Google's AI-driven transformation, which began in mid-May with the introduction of AI Overviews that provide summaries at the top of search results.
Concerns have been raised by publishers about the potential impact of AI Overviews on website traffic and ad revenue. However, Google is addressing these concerns by including more links to external websites within the summaries. An analysis by BrightEdge revealed that while general news publishers may see a decrease in traffic, specialized sites like Bloomberg.com and the National Institute of Health are benefiting from increased visits.
Google's commitment to integrating more AI into its search engine underscores the company's focus on technology as the driving force behind industry innovation. This evolution builds on Google's Lens feature, which processes queries about objects in images and generates over 20 billion queries per month. The popularity of Lens among younger users has prompted Google to further enhance its capabilities.
Users will now be able to use Lens to ask questions in English about objects viewed through a camera lens, receiving search results in response. Additionally, Google is testing voice-activated search features that allow users to ask questions while recording video, enabling a more conversational search experience.
Rajan Patel, Google's vice president of search engineering, emphasized the goal of simplifying search and making it more accessible to users. While AI advancements offer convenience, there is a risk of misinformation. Google has faced challenges with inaccurate information in AI Overviews but is confident in its ability to address these issues.
Despite past missteps, Google plans to leverage AI to organize search results for recipe and meal idea queries in English on mobile devices. The AI-driven results will be categorized into clusters of photos, videos, and articles related to the query.
Google's continued investment in AI technology signals a strategic shift towards a more intuitive and user-friendly search experience, positioning the company at the forefront of technological innovation.
