Google is exploring new ways to implement its AI advancements in Search, resulting in various features that have met with mixed reactions. While some innovations, such as AI Overviews, have generally been viewed positively, others are still being refined.
The latest initiative from Google involves an experimental redesign of the search results page that incorporates AI in a significant way. The company recently introduced a new experiment called Web Guide in Search Labs, available for users who are willing to join.
Upon opting in, users are not immediately transitioned to the new view. Instead, they can choose to switch to the **Web** tab after conducting a search to access the AI-generated results.
In the Web Guide mode, results are not merely displayed as a list of links; they are categorized by topics related to the user’s query. This organization aims to enhance learning and make it easier for users to delve deeper into their searches.
Google claims that this feature utilizes a custom version of Gemini, which employs a “query fan-out” technique akin to that used in AI Mode. The goal is to present multiple related search results on a single page, effectively addressing more complex inquiries.
For instance, during a search for “how to solo travel in Japan,” users would receive results covering various relevant topics. Google also encourages users to experiment with longer queries, like “What are the best tools for staying connected with my family across multiple time zones?”
The experiment is currently live and can be accessed on Android by tapping the labs icon in the top-left corner of the Google app and enabling the Web Guide option.
Initially, these AI-optimized results will only appear in the Web tab, but Google plans to expand this style of results to other areas of its Search platform in the future.
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