Google Refines, Expands Access to AI-Powered Search

Google has expanded access to AI Overviews, its AI-powered search feature having refined it following a series of embarrassing outputs earlier in the year.

AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience) uses Google’s Gemini model to generate natural-sounding answers to search queries.

Having been made available to users in the U.S. and U.K., Google is now expanding access to search users in India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil.

Each version of AI Overviews is intended to return outputs in the user’s local language.

Google said the feature has resulted in higher engagement from users, particularly from those 18 to 24 years old.                                                                                                           

“We extensively test how people respond to updates to search,” said Hema Budaraju, Google senior director for product management on search. “Since launching in the U.S., we've found people who use AI Overviews use search more and are more satisfied with their results. People who are looking for help with complex topics are engaging more and keep coming back for AI Overviews.”

AI Overviews was widely panned earlier this year after a series of responses went viral for offering users bizarre advice, such as eating rocks was a good source of minerals.

Related:Google Refines AI Overviews After Bizarre Responses, Limits Content

Several of those widely publicized responses came from posts on Reddit. Google has access to Reddit user posts through a licensing deal, despite that Reddit content is known for its candid and often offensive nature.

The search giant says it has made extensive updates to AI Overviews to improve performance.

Among the updates is the ability to explore relevant websites. Displayed in a new area to the right of the page on desktop and mobile, the feature is designed to make it easier to click to visit sites relevant to what they are searching.