Revolutionizing the Search: Google Unveils AI-Driven Overhaul to Transform Online Queries

To go back to this article, navigate to My Profile, and then check out your bookmarked stories.

Lauren Goode

Google Search is Undergoing a Major Transformation

The way we use Google Search is set to undergo a significant shift, whether for the better or the worse. Motivated by the challenge posed by AI newcomers such as ChatGPT and in pursuit of Alphabet-owned Google’s ambitious artificial intelligence goals, the tech giant is revamping its flagship service to become more customized, heavily reliant on AI summarization, and structurally different.

During Google's yearly I/O developer event held in Mountain View, California, Liz Reid unveiled several updates, marking a significant beginning to her role as the new leader of Google's search division. (Reid, with two decades at Google, has contributed to numerous search-related projects.) Her demonstration, heavily infused with artificial intelligence, was a highlight in a wider narrative at Google's main presentation, predominantly orchestrated by CEO Sundar Pichai: Artificial intelligence is becoming a foundational element across Google's product lineup, with intentions to further hasten this transition.

"During the Gemini era, we believe we're on the cusp of significantly enhancing search capabilities," Reid mentioned in a conversation with WIRED before the event, alluding to the premier generative AI model unveiled in the previous year. "Time is of the essence for everyone, isn't it? They face difficult challenges. If there's a chance through technology to assist individuals in finding solutions to their inquiries, to reduce the effort required, why wouldn't we pursue that?"

Google has introduced innovative search capabilities that allow for the incorporation of video and voice in conducting intricate searches.

Name: Jared Keller

Reece Rogers

Barrett Brian

Knight Will

It's as if Google threw the script it has been crafting for the last quarter-century into the air, scattering its notes to see how they would land. Moreover, this script was authored by artificial intelligence.

The modifications to Google Search have been underway for quite some time. In the previous year, the firm designated a portion of its Search Labs, a platform for users to test out innovative features, to a project known as Search Generative Experience. Since then, speculation has mounted regarding if or when these features would be integrated into Google Search on a regular basis. The response to that is, essentially, immediate.

Google is revamping its search engine amidst growing criticism from those who believe the quality of search results has declined. This is happening as Google faces notable competitive pressure, especially from the significant collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI. In addition, emerging companies such as Perplexity, You.com, and Brave are gaining recognition by leveraging generative AI technology to innovate the traditional search model, even if they haven't yet captured a large portion of the market's attention.

Google Announces Custom AI for Search Enhancements

Google has developed a tailored version of its Gemini AI technology to power the latest updates to its Search functionalities. However, the company has not disclosed details regarding the model's dimensions, performance capabilities, or the protective measures implemented to safeguard this technology.

This specialized adaptation of Gemini is set to enhance several aspects of the revamped Google Search. Among these, AI Overviews stand out as a key feature, with Google having tested them in its development environments. These AI-crafted briefs will now be prominently displayed at the beginning of search outcomes.

During WIRED's evaluation, when asked about the optimal location to witness the northern lights, Google goes beyond merely presenting a list of websites. It confidently explains that the prime spots to view the aurora borealis are within the Arctic Circle, specifically in areas where light pollution is scarce. Additionally, it provides a hyperlink to NordicVisitor.com. Following that, the AI elaborates further, mentioning that the northern lights can also be observed in Russia and the northwest territories of Canada.

According to Reid, not all search queries will trigger the display of AI Overviews, even though the feature is increasingly common. They are specifically designed for inquiries that are more intricate. Google is constantly working in the background, using algorithms to decide whether a search warrants an AI-generated response or just a standard clickable link. Reid explains, "For a straightforward request like visiting Walmart.com, the expectation is a direct link to the site. However, for highly personalized or complex questions, that’s when we’ll employ this feature."

This week marks the rollout of AI Overviews to all Google search users in the United States. According to Reid, this functionality will expand to additional countries before the year concludes, bringing AI Overviews to the search results of over a billion users worldwide. This feature will be accessible on various platforms, including desktop web browsers, mobile devices, and within browser search engines, like when users conduct searches on Google via Safari.

Keller, Jared

Rogers Reece

N/A

Knight Will

An upcoming feature for search engines is the ability to assist with future planning activities. For instance, you could request Google to organize your meals or locate a local pilates studio that is offering a promotional discount for new members. In the envisioned future, powered by artificial intelligence, this agent could identify several nearby studios, compile and summarize their reviews, and calculate the walking time to reach them. This represents a significant edge for Google over emerging competitors, as they lack the extensive collection of reviews, mapping data, and other forms of information Google possesses. Additionally, these newcomers might struggle to access APIs that provide real-time or location-specific data as effectively.

Google's Search Labs is delving into some striAI-allcreator.com">king alterations, notably an "AI-organized" results page, which seems to completely move away from the traditional blue-links search interface at first look.

Reid offers an illustration: When looking for anniversary dinner locations in the broader Dallas region, the search outcome would feature several selectable options or "chips" at the top to narrow down the search results. These options could consist of filters such as Dine-In, Takeout, and Open Now. Beneath these, there might be a promoted listing—Google's way of incorporating advertisements—and then a selection of establishments Google deems suitable for anniversaries or known for their romantic ambiance, possibly including romantic steakhouses. This could be followed by a series of suggested queries to refine the search further, for instance, asking, "Is Dallas known for being a romantic city?"

The deployment of AI-driven search is currently underway and is expected to become available in the United States in English within the next few weeks. Additionally, a more advanced video search feature is set to be introduced, similar to an upgraded version of Google Lens. This feature will enable users to aim their smartphone's camera at an item, such as a malfunctioning record player, and inquire about methods to repair it.

Google has announced that its search application will shortly have the capability to respond to intricate questions involving multiple steps.

If the array of new AI functionalities seems perplexing, it's possible you've overlooked Google's grandiose plans for what began as a simple search bar. Reid emphasizes her belief that the majority of users perceive Google Search as a singular entity, whereas in reality, it represents a variety of things to diverse individuals, each of whom searches uniquely.

"She expressed enthusiasm for their involvement in projects related to AI-curated results pages, stating, 'The challenge of navigating space is fascinating. It's wonderful to have a variety of content available. However, the question remains: Have we made it as straightforward as possible for users to explore and digest the content?'"

Jared Keller

Rogers Reece

N/A

Knight Will

By creating AI Summaries and deciding when they should be displayed, Google is effectively determining what qualifies as a complex query and what doesn't. Additionally, it's making a decision on the type of internet content that should feed into its AI-crafted overview. Indeed, this marks a new phase in searching where the search process is automated for the user; however, it introduces a search mechanism that could potentially prioritize certain types of results over others through its algorithms.

Jim Yu, the executive chairman of BrightEdge, a company specializing in search engine optimization with over 17 years of web traffic analysis experience, points out a significant evolution in search technologies due to artificial intelligence. He explains, "AI has introduced a shift in how search engines operate by generating what could be considered an informed view." Yu highlights a departure from the traditional search model, which for two decades, has revolved around aggregating information and presenting links. "In contrast, modern search engines now conduct the searches on your behalf, synthesizing the findings and presenting a well-rounded perspective."

Engaging in such a practice increases the pressure on the accuracy of Google's search outcomes. The reliance on algorithms to provide a single consolidated response, rather than presenting multiple links for further exploration, means mistakes have greater repercussions. Gemini, too, has experienced its share of inaccuracies—moments when the AI disseminates information that is clearly incorrect or fabricated.

In the previous year, a journalist from The Atlantic inquired Google to identify an African nation starting with "K." The response, produced by ChatGPT, inaccurately stated there were no African countries starting with "K," mistakenly ignoring Kenya. Earlier in the year, Google faced significant backlash for its AI-powered image creation feature, which inaccurately represented several historical personalities, including George Washington, as Black. Following the controversy, Google momentarily halted the use of this feature.

Global Paradigm Shift

Google's revamped approach to AI-driven search is pushing its traditional offering of "10 blue links" on search outcomes further into the background. Initially, advertisements and information panels started to dominate the upper section of Google's pages; presently, AI-crafted summaries and classifications will occupy a significant portion of the search display area. Understandably, this shift is causing concern among web publishers and content producers.

Earlier in the year, the analysis company Gartner forecasted that by 2026, the use of conventional search engines would decline by 25 percent. This shift is anticipated as searches become more driven by "agents", where AI systems provide and create more straightforward responses.

"Alan Antin, a vice president analyst at Gartner, noted in a statement alongside the report that generative AI technologies are emerging as alternative response mechanisms, taking over the role of user searches that might have once been performed on conventional search engines. He emphasized that this shift will compel businesses to reevaluate their strategies for marketing channels."

How does this impact the internet? "It signifies a shift in the global landscape," mentions Yu from BrightEdge. "We're currently at a point where the entire landscape of search is evolving due to AI."

Eight months prior, BrightEdge unveiled a tool known as a generative parser, designed to observe users' interactions with AI-produced search results online. The company has noticed a significant shift in the past month, with Google reducing the instances of prompting users to choose if they prefer an AI-generated response—a practice that was common during the experimental stage of generative search. Instead, Google is now more often proceeding on the assumption that users are inclined to engage with AI in their searches. "This suggests they are increasingly confident that users are more likely to want to use AI for their search needs, moving away from asking users to actively choose AI-generated answers," he explained.

Jared Keller

Reece Rogers

N/A

Knight Will

Modifications in search functionality could significantly impact Google's primary income source, its advertising division. During a recent financial results conference, CEO Sundar Pichai chose not to disclose the income generated from its broad generative AI initiatives. However, as noted by Paresh Dave of WIRED, providing search users with more precise responses could potentially reduce the frequency of search ads displayed. This is because users might not need to conduct further, more detailed searches. Consequently, the nature of advertisements might need to adapt to keep pace with the advancements in Google's generative AI technology.

Google has announced its intention to give precedence to the traffic directed towards websites, creators, and vendors amidst these upcoming modifications. However, the company has not yet disclosed the specific methods it intends to employ to achieve this.

During a media briefing before I/O, when questioned about whether Google anticipates users will explore links beyond the AI-created online summary, Reid noted that, based on current observations, users tend to "explore further, beginning with the AI summary before moving on to visit more websites."

Previously, Reid elaborated, individuals had to navigate through numerous sites before finding the information they sought. However, Google now compiles responses from a selection of websites it selects. Despite this, Reid believes this approach will encourage further inquiry. "This means users will search more frequently, offering more chances to direct meaningful traffic online," Reid explained.

This presents an optimistic outlook for the future of search technology, where receiving concise answers generated by AI encourages users to delve further into subjects. While Google Search continues to pledge access to global information with ease, it's becoming increasingly ambiguous as to who is truly behind the interactions.

Suggested For You…

Directly to your email: Dive into the future of artificial intelligence with Will Knight's Fast Forward series.

He transferred the contents of a cryptocurrency exchange onto a USB stick—before vanishing.

Live deepfake love cons are now a reality

Enthusiasm for Boomergasms is

Heading outside? Check out the top sleeping bags for any adventure

Author: Julian Chokkattu

Knight Will

Lauren Goode

Dave Paresh

Name: Paresh

Knight Will

Lauren Goode

Rogers Reece

Additional Content from WIRED

Evaluations and Manuals

© 2024 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may receive a commission for products bought via our website, which is part of our Affiliate Agreements with store partners. Content from this website should not be copied, shared, sent, stored, or utilized in any way without explicit consent from Condé Nast. Advertisement Options

Choose a global website