Google Expands AI Overviews in Search to Six New Countries, Including India

Google has announced a major expansion of its AI Overviews in Search feature, rolling it out to six new countries, including India. The update, which will be gradually introduced over the coming weeks, aims to enhance the search experience by providing users with more comprehensive and easily accessible information.

AI Overviews: A New Era for Search

Launched in May in the United States, AI Overviews help users quickly discover and understand information on the web by providing concise, AI-generated summaries of search results. The feature has been met with positive feedback, leading Google to extend its availability to India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil.

Hema Budaraju, Senior Director of Product Management at Google Search, highlighted the positive response to AI Overviews in Search Labs globally. "After extensive testing, we’re excited to bring the helpfulness of AI Overviews to these new markets, complete with local language support," Budaraju said in a blog post.

AI Overviews in India: Key Features and Benefits

In India, AI Overviews will be available in English and Hindi, incorporating popular features that have been well-received during the Search Labs experiment. These include:

• Language Toggle Button: Users can easily switch between English and Hindi search results.
• Text-To-Speech: By tapping the 'Listen' button, users can listen to responses, making it more convenient to access information.

This bilingual support aims to cater to India's diverse linguistic landscape, enhancing the search experience for a broader audience.

Enhanced User Experience and Insights

Google’s testing has revealed that users who engage with AI Overviews tend to use Search more frequently and express higher satisfaction with their results. The feature has encouraged users to ask more detailed questions and explore complex topics, leading to increased engagement with content from publishers, businesses, and creators.

Notably, Indian users have shown a particular interest in listening to AI Overviews responses, more so than users in other countries. This highlights the feature's appeal and effectiveness in the Indian market.

New Display Options and Future Updates

In addition to expanding AI Overviews, Google is also introducing a new way to view relevant websites. On desktop, users will see a right-hand link display for AI Overviews, which will also be accessible on mobile devices by tapping site icons on the upper right. This update aims to make it easier for users to access and explore relevant sites directly from their search results.

Google is also testing the addition of links to relevant web pages directly within the text of AI Overviews. This will further streamline the user experience by providing direct access to additional content of interest.

Global Rollout and Future Prospects

The global rollout of AI Overviews starts today, with updates for all launched countries and Search Labs users in over 120 countries and territories. Google’s continued innovation in search technology underscores its commitment to improving user experience and making information more accessible worldwide.