Google AI overviews launch in UK

Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) is an AI-powered feature that provides AI overviews in response to search queries. It has been in testing as a Labs experiment in the U.S. since May 2023 and is now beginning to appear for a small slice of logged-in users in the UK. SGE aims to potentially change the way people search and could affect the amount of organic traffic websites receive from Google.

Google began testing AI overviews from SGE on a subset of queries and a small percentage of search traffic in the U.S. on March 22. This testing phase was reported by Search Engine Land and seems similar to the recent tests being conducted in the UK.

Yes, Google is considering making AI-powered search features available only to subscribers. This consideration includes potentially adding these features to the Google One paid bundle, which already includes Gemini. However, classic Google Search would remain free, and ads would still appear alongside search results for subscribers. No official decision or launch date has been confirmed regarding this change.

According to Elizabeth Reid, Google VP of Search, there likely won't be a light-switch moment when SGE replaces Google Search as we know it. The transition appears to be more gradual, with SGE being integrated and tested alongside the traditional search experience.