Image: Google
Some US users might see a new section at the top of their search results. This shaded area summarizes the answer to your question, along with links for further details. This is powered by Google's generative AI technology, similar to its AI assistant, Bard (formerly Gemini).
Previously, you had to opt-in to see these AI summaries through "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) in Search Labs. Now, Google is trying to show these to a limited set of searches and users. This means you might see them even if you haven't opted in
Google introduced SGE last year, shortly after launching Bard. The company rolled out SGE with opt-in access in over 120 countries. So, why the change? Google wants feedback from a wider audience, especially those unfamiliar with generative AI. They'll show these summaries only when confident they improve search results. This will help them understand how generative AI can benefit all users, not just tech-savvy early adopters.