Google’s AI-powered search experience is now available to everyone, meaning the web will never be the same However, with all these new layers in addition to the “10 blue links”, Google allows a return to something simpler with the new “web” filter in search.
When Google was founded more than 25 years ago, the company’s search engine was a relatively simple concept. By crawling the web, Google can return relevant websites to help you find what you’re looking for So “Google” is not just a company name, but the core vision has also changed over time.
In 2024, Google search will expand beyond multiple levels based on links alone.
Some searches return shopping results, others return “knowledge panels” full of easy-to-read information, and still others have “featured snippets” that display a snippet of a website prominently at the top of the page. Now comes AI Overview, which uses generative AI to aggregate search results so that in many cases you never have to leave the search.
According to Google, AI Overview, like the Knowledge Panel and Featured Snippets, is a new feature for Search.
In other words, you can’t turn it off.
AI overview appears in many searches, especially when you ask a question. This means traditional web links are pushed to the bottom of the page, sometimes even out of sight altogether, as shown below.
As a result, Google has confirmed that it will add a new “web” filter to search. This new filter works like image, video and many other search filters, but aims to only show links on the web. You won’t find definitive answers to questions, but you can find the answers you’re looking for on the web, just as the search was focused.
It’s not entirely clear when this new web filter will roll out to Google Search, but it looks like it will be available alongside the launch of AI Overview.
Google notes that its users find the additional search features useful, but is adding this new filter to make it easier for users to get links if they want.
More about Google Search:
Follow Ben: Twitter/x, subjectAnd Instagram
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links to generate revenue. more
