Google announced a few new AI-related updates to Google Search this week, including a new feature that appears as "Expert Advice" in AI Mode and the AI Overview section at the top of the search results page.
When a user performs a search, Google will now bring in social media posts and forum discussions from around the internet in order to help answer a user's query. The content will appear beside the creator's name, handle, or the community name where the information was posted. A link will also be included to the source.
In one of Google's examples, a search about taking pictures of the Northern Lights provided the user with "Expert Advice" from sources such as photography news website DPReview and a WordPress-hosted website for an aurora borealis tour company. However, the advice also featured commentary from Reddit's r/photography subreddit.
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Google's new update for AI Overviews brings perspectives from social media and online communities into Google Search. Credit: Google
Labeling social media and forum posts as "Expert Advice" could certainly be problematic for certain search queries. Search results from platforms like Reddit have become very popular among users looking for reviews or recommendations on products or services.
However, users likely shouldn't trust these sources for something like medical advice. And because many spammers are taking advantage of Reddit's newfound visibility in Google Search, not all Reddit commentary comes from actual users.
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Google says that these new sources won't always be labeled "Expert Advice." The company is describing this content as a "preview of perspectives." In some of Google's examples of the feature, the social media and forum content appears under the title of "Perspectives" or "Community Experiences."
Along with this new feature, Google announced a few more updates to AI Overviews and AI Mode as well.
AI Overviews will now provide users with recommendations on topics or queries for "Further Exploration" in order to encourage users to dig deeper.
In addition, Google has launched a link preview feature inside AI Overviews to give users more information about a certain source. Users will see a pop-up with a preview of the website when hovering over a link.
Speaking of links, Google is making links in AI Overviews more obvious, too. Relevant links in AI responses will be highlighted and appear right next to the information.
Google is also rolling out a feature that will highlight links in AI Overviews from news sources that a user subscribes to. According to Google, in its testing of the feature, users were more likely to click links for sources that they were already subscribed to.
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