Google’s AI-driven Search Generative Experience (SGE) is receiving a significant update with the addition of images and videos. If you have enabled the AI-based SGE feature in Search Labs, you will now notice more multimedia content in the colorful summary box at the top of your search results. Google is also working on improving the speed at which the summary box appears and providing more context to the links it includes.
SGE: The Future of Google Search – A Complex Journey of Innovation and Challenges
While SGE is still in the experimental phase, it is evidently the future of Google Search. CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned that this new approach allows them to break free from the constraints of traditional search and think innovatively. Over time, SGE is expected to become the standard for search.
This shift to SGE raises significant questions about the future of the web, but it is also a complex product to refine. Google’s goal is no longer just finding relevant links but synthesizing and generating useful information. Integrating video content, such as specific moments from YouTube videos, can enhance the search experience.
Even with SGE’s advantages, surfacing and contextualizing links remain critical. Google is adding publish dates next to articles in the summary box to indicate the recency of the information. However, striking the right balance between providing information and empowering users to find it themselves remains a challenge.
The Journey Towards Faster Search Results
Improving SGE’s speed will take time as large language model-based tools require seconds to generate answers. Google has made progress in reducing loading times, but further optimization is needed.
Despite the speed issues, users find SGE useful, especially for open-ended questions like recommendations. With more sources, media, and context, SGE has the potential to surpass the traditional 10 blue links in search results.
