Google is bringing its AI-generated search summaries to more users around the world. The company recently announced that its AI Overviews feature will now be available in six additional countries.
AI Overviews appear at the top of Google search results pages. They provide quick answers to user queries without requiring clicks to other websites.
This expansion comes after Google made some changes to improve the feature’s accuracy. The company had to pull back some capabilities after its initial launch due to problems with incorrect information.
Google’s senior product director Hema Budaraju said the quality of AI Overviews is getting better. Internal data shows users like the feature and are using longer, more specific search terms.
The new countries, besides US, getting AI Overviews are:
- Brazil
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
Users in these countries will see the AI summaries in their local languages. For example, Brazilians will get results in Portuguese, while Indians may see Hindi summaries.
Google is also updating how the feature works:
- More hyperlinks will be added to AI Overviews
- Website links will show up on the right side of the AI answer
- Google is testing putting links directly in the overview text
These changes aim to send more traffic to websites that provide information for the summaries. This could help address worries from media companies about losing visitors.
The AI search feature faces some challenges:
- Early versions gave wrong answers to some queries
- A U.S. judge recently ruled Google has an illegal monopoly on search
- Rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI are working on their own AI search tools
Still, Google sees AI as key to improving search. The company wants to make finding information faster and easier for users.
Google first launched AI Overviews in the U.S. in May 2024. The initial rollout had some challenges. Users found and shared examples of bizarre responses, like a pizza recipe listing glue as an ingredient.
The company quickly made updates to fix these problems:
- Limited which types of queries show AI answers
- Stopped using some user-generated content as sources
- Added more fact-checking steps
Now Google feels ready to bring the improved AI Overviews to more countries. The international expansion is a big step for the search giant.
For users, AI Overviews could change how they find information online. Instead of clicking through multiple websites, they may get quick answers right on the Google results page.
But this shift also raises questions for online publishers. Will they lose traffic if users don’t need to visit their sites? Google says its latest updates will help drive clicks to relevant websites.
The company is walking a fine line. It wants to make search more useful with AI, while also supporting the websites that provide valuable content.
As AI becomes a bigger part of online search, Google will need to keep refining its approach. The technology is powerful, but it needs careful handling to avoid mistakes.
For now, millions of new users will get to try out AI-powered Google search. Their feedback will likely shape how the company develops the feature going forward.
Questions about Google’s AI search answers
How does AI make Google Search better?
AI helps Google Search give faster and more accurate answers. It can understand complex questions and provide detailed summaries. This saves time for users who don’t have to click through multiple links.
AI also improves search results by:
- Analyzing context and intent
- Connecting related information
- Providing up-to-date answers
Does AI make Google’s search results more precise?
Yes, AI can boost search accuracy. It understands natural language better than older systems. This means it can grasp the real meaning behind queries.
AI also:
- Learns from past searches
- Adapts to new information quickly
- Spots patterns humans might miss
Can users turn off AI features in Google Search?
Currently, Google does not offer an option to disable AI features in regular search. The AI-powered overviews appear by default.
Users can still access traditional search results below the AI summary. For those who prefer the old format, using specific search operators may help bypass some AI features.
What steps has Google taken to ensure AI answers are trustworthy?
Google has implemented several measures:
- Rigorous testing before release
- Continuous monitoring for errors
- Clear labeling of AI-generated content
- Providing links to source information
The company also uses human reviewers to check AI outputs for accuracy and bias.
How might AI answers change the variety of search results?
AI answers could affect search result diversity in a few ways:
- Presenting a single summary instead of multiple viewpoints
- Potentially reducing traffic to individual websites
- Changing how information is prioritized
However, Google aims to maintain diverse results by including links to various sources alongside AI summaries.
Where is Google’s AI search feature available now?
Google has expanded its AI search feature to over 120 countries and territories. This includes:
- Mexico
- Brazil
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- South Africa
The feature supports English plus four new languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian.
