Today, Google made several announcements at its annual developer conference, Google I/O, including two major updates to its search engine.
The first update is a new feature called “Perspectives,” which will provide search results that include long-form videos, images, and written posts from discussion boards, Q&A sites, and social media platforms. The goal of Perspectives is to give users a more human touch to digital information, allowing them to understand topics through the experiences and viewpoints of others.
The second update is a new generative AI feature called Search Generative Experience (SGE), which is designed to simplify complex search tasks and provide key information snapshots linked to deeper resources. For instance, if a user wants to compare two national parks for a family with young children and a dog, SGE can provide pertinent details and suggestions for further exploration. The feature is also being tested to enhance the online shopping experience, delivering comprehensive product information, including up-to-date reviews, ratings, prices, and product images.
Google’s SGE feature is currently available as an experiment in Search Labs on Chrome desktop and the Google App for Android and iOS users in the U.S., with its interface being English-only at launch. Meanwhile, Perspectives will be available in search results globally in the coming weeks.
How Will These Updates Affect SEO?
While it’s too early to say definitively how these updates will impact search engine optimization (SEO), it’s clear that they underline Google’s continuing focus on delivering the most accurate and relevant search results possible. For businesses, this means continuing to produce high-quality content that delivers value to users.
One potential benefit of these updates is that they will expand the range of content being surfaced in search results, including content from social media and discussion boards that may not have been previously included. This means that companies should be creating content across all platforms, not just on their own sites.
Ultimately, these updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to using AI and diverse human perspectives to deliver search results that are accurate, helpful, and relevant to users’ needs.
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Source: Search Engine Journal
Image: rafapress/Shutterstock
