Google’s has announced how it’s planning to integrate its recent advancements in AI-driven Search, highlighting how they’re transforming how users interact with information.
Google has consistently expanded its search capabilities, allowing users to search by typing queries, using images, or even humming tunes. AI has played a crucial role in this evolution, with Google’s Gemini model being a significant upgrade that enhances the ability to help users discover more information.
One notable development is the integration of AI Overviews into Search, which has made searches more satisfying. Google Lens, the visual search tool, is now used for nearly 20 billion searches monthly. Google is now taking a substantial leap by adding AI capabilities that allow users to interact with information in more creative and intuitive ways.
New ways to search with visuals and audio
Lens, which has been a pioneer in visual search, now incorporates generative AI. This allows users to point their camera, ask a question, and receive an AI-generated overview along with helpful links. This feature has increased Lens’s overall usage, particularly among younger users (ages 18-24). Lens has also evolved to include video understanding capabilities, allowing users to record videos and ask questions about what they see. For instance, if a user is at an aquarium and wonders why fish are swimming together, Lens can analyse the video and the question to provide an AI Overview with helpful resources. Voice input is now available globally for Lens, making it easier to ask questions verbally when using the camera.
images courtesy of Google
Shopping through Lens
Lens has also made it easier to shop by identifying visually similar products from retailers. A recent update provides a more helpful results page, displaying reviews, prices across different retailers, and where to buy. For example, users can take a photo of a backpack they see at an airport, and Lens will find the exact item along with all the necessary details.
Song Identification and Circle to Search
Google introduced a new feature to identify songs in videos or other media without switching apps. Circle to Search is now available on over 150 million Android devices.
AI-organised search results pages
Google has been rolling out AI-organised search result pages, starting with recipes and meal inspiration. These pages are curated to present relevant articles, videos, and forum discussions in one place. Google sees this as a way to deliver diverse content formats and foster content discovery.
More connections to web sources
Google is enhancing its AI Overviews by embedding prominent links to supporting webpages within the AI-generated content, increasing traffic to external websites. This feature, tested positively, is being rolled out globally. Additionally, Google is introducing ads within AI Overviews for relevant queries, connecting users with relevant products and businesses.
Why is this important?
Google is keen to ensure its core Search offering retains its prestige and is expanding the ways users can ask questions and get answers, using AI to help people search with text, images, voice, and audio. These latest innovations reflect Google’s ongoing investment in AI to improve how Search information is accessed and presented.