Your search experience, which has remained largely unchanged for decades, may be about to change as Google moves to streamline its search process, moving away from the conventional listing of links.

To reduce the need to click on links after a Google search, Google is testing changes to its search experience with its latest feature, Search Generative Experience (SGE), which uses AI to generate summarized result summaries for select searches.

Previously introduced as an optional feature last May, the SGE is now being tested with a limited group of US users, without the need for sign-ups.

This transition from an experimental opt-in to default signups means that even if you haven’t opted for the option, AI-generated summaries will automatically appear at the top of your search results for specific queries, particularly those deemed complex or requiring information from multiple sources.

Google says the reason for the move is to get feedback from searchers who have not opted into SGE specifically. This way they can learn how this technology could be useful to a broader audience.

Meanwhile, a study by Pew Research Center shows that 61% of internet users report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information they encounter online. This data suggests that users, just like you, may find this new search process more convenient and preferable for accessing information quickly.

However, there are concerns about the potential impact on websites that rely on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) traffic. If users find their answers directly in the AI summaries, they may bypass visiting websites altogether, impacting online businesses and content creators.

While Google assures that these summaries will only appear when they offer a clear advantage over traditional results, the shift in user behaviour could be significant, killing the motivation to go through multiple websites.

Source: Techloy