In a groundbreaking move, Google is unleashing its AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE) on over 120 new countries and territories, spreading the magic to places like Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The announcement, shared by Google’s Hema Budaraju in a recent blog post, marks a significant stride in making AI-driven search accessible to a more diverse global audience.
What’s even more exciting is the addition of four new languages to SGE’s repertoire: Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian. This multilingual expansion complements the existing support for English, Hindi, and Japanese, making SGE a truly global phenomenon.
But, before you get too carried away, there are a few hoops to jump through. To get your hands on SGE, you’ll need to opt in via Google’s Search Labs program. Once you’ve navigated that, the magic happens on Chrome for desktop or the Google app for Android and iOS. For those in the newly added countries, SGE on Chrome is already accessible, and the Google app is set to follow suit in the coming week, as per Budaraju’s blog.
Curiously, on the Search Labs page, notes hint that SGE and its browsing experiments might conclude in December 2023. When pressed about this, Google spokesperson Craig Ewer remained elusive, stating, “Our goal with this phase of SGE is to get feedback and iterate on the experience alongside our users.” The future of SGE remains shrouded in mystery, but given its recent global expansion, it seems unlikely that Google is pulling the plug anytime soon.
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In an interview, Budaraju hinted at possible future developments, saying, “In the future, we probably will have to come back to you.” It’s clear that SGE is evolving, and its eventual integration into mainstream search, as hinted by CEO Sundar Pichai, could redefine how we interact with the vast realm of information on the internet.
And there’s more to the story! Google is not just stopping at expansion; it’s also introducing new features to enhance the SGE experience. One notable addition is the “ask a follow up” text box, a handy tool right on the SGE results page. No more navigating to a separate conversational window – convenience at its best. This feature is set to roll out in English in the US in the coming weeks.
For language enthusiasts, SGE is stepping up its translation game. Now, when asking for translations, SGE can prompt you to clarify a single word with multiple meanings, providing a more refined translation experience. Initially available for English-to-Spanish translations in the US, this feature is expected to expand to more countries and languages over time.
In a bid to make search results more informative, Google is introducing a feature that allows users to hover over coding and health terms in SGE search results. This follows the previous ability to hover over science, economic, and history terms. The rollout begins in English in the US and is expected to extend to more countries and languages in the coming month.
SGE results aim to be a one-stop-shop for information, answering queries without the need to click out to other sources. While specific metrics on click-through rates remain undisclosed, Google has been actively updating SGE to refine how it surfaces and contextualizes links, ensuring users get the most relevant and accurate information at their fingertips.
As we witness Google’s AI search stepping into new territories and languages, it’s evident that the future of search is becoming more intelligent, intuitive, and accessible to a broader audience. Whether SGE will indeed be the future of how we search, only time will tell, but for now, the global expansion is undeniably a giant leap in that direction. So, buckle up as Google’s AI search takes you on a journey beyond borders, bringing the world’s information to your fingertips.
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