Google AI Search Overviews go global in over 100 countries
Google announced today that it is significantly expanding its AI Overviews feature in Search to over 100 countries and territories, aiming to transform the search experience for a global audience. Following its initial launch in May and subsequent expansion beyond the U.S. in August, this rollout will make information more accessible around the world and search results more helpful.
Even considering its rocky start with questionable results, Google states that AI Overviews have been generally well-received, with users finding them beneficial in their search journeys. This broader expansion will allow more people to experience a new way of searching, regardless of their queries.
This global expansion means that AI Overviews will now be available to over a billion users monthly. Google is also increasing language support, making AI Overviews accessible in various languages, including English, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. This means users can view AI Overviews in their preferred language, regardless of their location. For instance, a Spanish speaker in the United States can now access AI Overviews in Spanish.
Furthermore, Google reiterated its commitment to helping users discover content from various sources and has implemented more noticeable ways to display links to relevant websites within AI Overviews. These include a right-hand link display on desktop and a similar feature on mobile, accessible by tapping site icons. Google assures users that ads will also continue to be displayed in designated slots on the page, clearly labeled to differentiate between organic and sponsored results. The expansion of AI Overviews is part of Google's ongoing effort to broaden the types of questions users can ask and make online content exploration easier.
I find the global expansion of Google's AI Overviews intriguing. It presents a new way to interact with search results and access information more efficiently. While I appreciate the added convenience and potential for a more streamlined search experience, I also recognize the importance of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated overviews. It will be interesting to see how this feature evolves and its long-term impact on how we discover and consume information online.
An example of AI Overviews in mobile search. | Video credit — Google
Furthermore, Google reiterated its commitment to helping users discover content from various sources and has implemented more noticeable ways to display links to relevant websites within AI Overviews. These include a right-hand link display on desktop and a similar feature on mobile, accessible by tapping site icons. Google assures users that ads will also continue to be displayed in designated slots on the page, clearly labeled to differentiate between organic and sponsored results. The expansion of AI Overviews is part of Google's ongoing effort to broaden the types of questions users can ask and make online content exploration easier.
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