AI Overviews in Google Search no longer consider sign-in status
What's the story
Google has expanded the accessibility of its AI Overviews feature, making it available to all US users regardless of their sign-in status. Initially, this feature was exclusive to Search Labs members who were logged into their Google accounts. However, as reported by Search Engine Roundtable, these AI-generated summaries are now appearing for users who are not signed in and even in private browsing modes like Chrome's Incognito.
Feature details
AI Overviews: A tool for quick information
AI Overviews were introduced at the May 2024 Google I/O conference and are designed to provide quick, AI-generated summaries at the top of Google search results. These summaries offer fast answers backed by a list of sources, allowing users to verify the information and explore further if interested. The recent expansion of this feature marks a significant step toward making it more widely available.
Expansion plans
Google plans global rollout of AI Overviews
After its successful launch to hundreds of millions of US users earlier this year, Google now aims to roll out AI Overviews globally. The tech giant anticipates that over a billion people will be using this feature by the end of the year. Despite some concerns about their accuracy and potential impact on publishers, these summaries have been generally well-received for their ability to provide quick information.
Feature enhancements
Updates to improve the feature
In response to feedback, Google has introduced several updates to enhance the user experience with AI Overviews. A new "save" feature allows users to revisit a specific AI Overview at a later date. Additionally, users can simplify the language of an AI Overview by tapping the "Simpler" button option at the top of the summary. These two features are currently available for English queries by enrolling in "AI Overviews and more" in Search Labs.
Ongoing developments
Google tests new display, expands language support
Google has also been testing a new right-hand link display for AI Overviews on desktop that can connect users to more relevant websites related to their search query. This feature can be accessed by mobile users by tapping the site icons on the upper right corner of their screen. Additionally, Google has extended AI Overviews and country-specific language support to six new countries: the UK, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil.