Google’s AI-Powered Search: Website owners need to keep an eye on this.

Google is making some big changes to search by expanding AI-generated overviews and testing a new “AI Mode” that delivers AI-only results. These updates are designed to give users more detailed and conversational responses to their queries.

AI Overviews Are Expanding

Google first introduced AI Overviews as part of its Search Generative Experience (SGE) last year, and now it’s rolling them out to more searches. These overviews generate quick summaries at the top of search results, helping users get the gist of a topic without clicking through multiple links. They’re also integrating Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 2.0, which can handle more complex subjects like coding and maths. Another notable change is that AI Overviews are now available to teenage users in the US without any special sign-ups.

Introducing AI Mode

Alongside AI Overviews, Google is trialling an “AI Mode” that essentially turns search into a chatbot-like experience. Instead of traditional links, it provides AI-generated answers based on Google’s search index, with some links added for context. At the moment, it’s only available to Google One AI Premium subscribers, but it’s a sign of where search might be heading. There’s already some concern that AI-generated answers could reduce traffic to websites, which would have a big impact on publishers relying on search visitors for revenue.

What This Means for Website Owners

This is a space we’re watching closely. One way or another, change is coming, and how we, as website owners, adapt will be key to ensuring that traffic keeps flowing to our sites. Staying ahead of these shifts and adjusting content strategies accordingly could make all the difference.

For a deeper dive into the topic, check out the full article on Ars Technica:

Google is expanding AI overviews and testing AI-only search results.

Photo by Jevgeni Fil