Google expands AI Overviews in Search to six new countries, enhances features

Google this week announced expansions and enhancements to its AI Overviews feature in Search, which was initially launched in May of the same year. This update, revealed by Hema Budaraju, Senior Director of Product Management for Search, introduces new ways for users to connect with web content and expands the availability of AI Overviews to six additional countries. The changes aim to improve the search experience for users worldwide while supporting content creators and publishers.

AI Overviews, a feature designed to provide quick, comprehensive answers to complex queries, has shown promising results since its introduction. According to Google, users have been asking longer questions and exploring more intricate subjects, leading to increased opportunities for content discovery. The company reports that when users click from search result pages containing AI Overviews, they tend to spend more time on the websites they visit, indicating higher quality engagement.

One of the key updates announced is a new right-hand link display for AI Overviews on desktop computers. Mobile users can access this feature by tapping site icons in the upper right corner of their screens. This enhancement aims to make it easier for users to explore relevant websites while searching. The update is being rolled out globally to all countries where AI Overviews are available, as well as to Search Labs users in over 120 countries and territories.

Google is also testing the inclusion of links to relevant web pages directly within the text of AI Overviews. This experiment, which complements the existing prominent links, has shown early positive results. The company reports that this approach is driving higher traffic to publisher sites, addressing concerns about potential negative impacts on web traffic that AI-generated summaries might cause.

For users interested in trying out the latest AI capabilities, Google has introduced new features in Search Labs under the "AI Overviews and more" experiment. One notable addition is the ability to save specific AI Overviews for future reference. Users can now tap a "save" button underneath an AI Overview, allowing them to retrieve the same information and links when conducting the same search again. This feature is currently available for English queries in the United States.

Another new capability allows users to simplify the language of some AI Overviews with a single tap. This feature, which can be particularly helpful for those new to a topic, is also available for English queries in the U.S. through the Search Labs experiment.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this announcement is the expansion of AI Overviews to six new countries: the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. This expansion includes local language support in each country, making the feature more accessible to a diverse global audience. Google emphasizes that this rollout will be gradual, taking place over several weeks to maintain the company's high standards for information quality.

The decision to expand AI Overviews comes after extensive testing and positive feedback. Google reports that users who have access to AI Overviews tend to use Search more frequently and express higher satisfaction with their results. Notably, the company has observed even higher engagement from younger users aged 18-24 when using Search with AI Overviews.

Google's approach to implementing AI Overviews is rooted in its established quality and safety systems, which have been developed over decades to deliver reliable and high-quality information. The company stresses that these foundational elements remain crucial as they integrate new AI capabilities into Search.

The expansion of AI Overviews reflects broader trends in the search engine industry, where artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role. As search engines strive to provide more comprehensive and nuanced responses to user queries, AI-powered features like Google's AI Overviews are becoming more prevalent. This shift represents a significant evolution in how people interact with and consume information online.

However, the integration of AI into search results also raises important questions about the future of web content creation and discovery. While Google reports positive impacts on web traffic and user engagement, some content creators and publishers may have concerns about how AI-generated summaries could affect their visibility and traffic in the long term.

As AI Overviews become available in more countries and languages, it will be crucial to monitor their impact on local content ecosystems and user behaviors. The feature's ability to process and summarize information in multiple languages could have far-reaching implications for global information access and cross-cultural understanding.

Google's ongoing refinement of AI Overviews, including the new linking features and language simplification options, demonstrates the company's commitment to balancing technological innovation with user needs and content creator interests. As these features continue to evolve, they may reshape how people search for and interact with information online.

The expansion of AI Overviews to new countries also highlights the growing global demand for more sophisticated search tools. As internet usage continues to increase worldwide, the ability to quickly access and comprehend complex information becomes increasingly valuable across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.

In conclusion, Google's latest updates to AI Overviews represent a significant step in the evolution of search technology. By expanding the feature's availability and enhancing its functionality, Google aims to create a more connected and informative search experience for users around the world. As these AI-powered tools become more prevalent, they will likely continue to shape the landscape of digital information retrieval and consumption in the years to come.

Key facts

AI Overviews in Search expanded to six new countries: UK, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil

New right-hand link display introduced for AI Overviews on desktop

"Save" feature added for AI Overviews in Search Labs (US, English queries only)

Language simplification option introduced for some AI Overviews

Google reports higher quality engagement and increased site visit duration from AI Overview clicks

Expansion follows extensive testing showing increased user satisfaction and engagement

Feature is particularly popular among users aged 18-24

Rollout will be gradual over several weeks to maintain information quality standards