Google Will Show You Things You Didn’t Ask for in AI Overview Searches
Google is tweaking the technology behind its AI insights in search to expand what information it gives you and where it pulls it from. These updates are designed to help you “explore relevant websites, in-depth information, and original content,” the company said in a blog post on Wednesday. But you might not want all that.
The biggest changes will see Google include more first-person advice from online forums like Reddit and “other first-hand sources.” The idea is to connect you with information from people who have already tried the products you are looking for. But as with any online search, you’ll want to check the source. Remember when Reddit’s sarcastic comments contained an early version of Google’s AI previews advising us put glue on pizza and eat rocks?
Google will also include related information on the topic you’re searching for, even if it’s not quite what you asked for. For example, if you’re looking for the best places to visit in Curitiba, Brazil, Google might include a “explore further” section at the bottom of the AI summary that includes links about the city’s history and architecture.
Note the new section at the bottom called “Draw Deeper.”
Some other changes aim to make it easier to see where Google’s AI is finding its information and find the right links. You will be able to see which websites provide the information for each point in a bulleted list. You will also get a better and larger overview of these websites when you hover over them during desktop searches. Any sources you’ve saved as a favorite or told Google you’re subscribed to will also be easier to find in the AI results. You can add CNET as your preferred source here.
These AI-created summaries are among the many ways the tech giant has forced more AI into search. Its AI mode is a research experience dedicated to AIintended to help you delve deeper into topics by chatting with Google like you would with a chatbot. The company presented personalized intelligence earlier this year to help Google tailor its search results to your life and interests. But Google Search’s AI overhaul has has significantly harmed the business of publishers and websitesand its not-totally-error-free AI summaries should make people double-check the source, even if people don’t.
