Google has announced the global expansion of its AI Overviews feature, which provides users with a snapshot of information at the top of search results. Initially launched in the United States in May, this feature is now rolling out to over 100 countries and territories, reaching an estimated 1 billion users worldwide each month.
The AI Overviews will be available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Google has been continuously updating this feature to enhance its utility; recent improvements include in-line links within the text of AI Overviews, which have reportedly increased traffic to websites compared to the previous design that simply extracted text from sources.
Additionally, Google is leveraging AI Overviews to boost its advertising business. The company has recently introduced ads within these overviews for relevant mobile queries in the United States.
Despite its potential, the launch of AI Overviews faced challenges due to instances of providing incorrect and sometimes harmful information. For example, early versions suggested using glue on pizza. In response, Google has been fine-tuning the feature and is also working on implementing a similar functionality for its Shopping page.
This rollout marks a significant step in Google's ongoing efforts to enhance search functionality through AI, as the company seeks to balance providing direct answers with driving traffic to external websites.