Google's AI Mode is set to get a major upgrade, with the company promising to link to more sources and provide AI-generated explanations for their relevance. This update comes as Google faces scrutiny from the European Commission over potential antitrust violations in its use of web publishers' content. The company is also addressing concerns about AI's impact on user engagement, following a study suggesting that AI summaries may reduce click-through rates.
The new feature will display source descriptions directly above the link carousel, offering a clear explanation of why each source is valuable. For instance, AI Mode might describe an article as 'budget-friendly decor ideas, including secondhand shopping, architectural updates, and DIY projects for a vintage aesthetic.'
This update is part of a broader strategy to enhance Google's interaction with sources. The company is also launching a pilot program with major publishers to explore the potential of AI in driving audience engagement. One experiment involves displaying AI-written summaries of articles within Google News.
Additionally, Google is expanding access to 'preferred sources' globally, allowing users to select their preferred news outlets. It's also introducing a dedicated carousel for news subscriptions and plans to integrate this feature into the Gemini app. Furthermore, Google is enhancing its Web Guide experiment, using Gemini AI to categorize search results, making the process faster and more versatile.
These changes demonstrate Google's ongoing efforts to improve its search capabilities and address concerns related to AI's impact on content consumption and user engagement.
