In a span of just under three months since the launch of the generative AI-powered Search experience (SGE), Google has steadily introduced features that build upon and strengthen the utility of SGE. Recent updates conclude richer visual content, improved link displays, and more user-centric features.
Adding onto the functionality of Google’s SGE, the search engine giant today announced “SGE while browsing,” an upcoming update to AI-generated responses that will allow users to delve into definitions and supplementary materials effortlessly. Upon encountering unfamiliar terms or seeking further insights, users can hover over specific words within AI-generated responses. This feature will showcase definitions, as well as relevant diagrams or images, offering an intuitive learning pathway. A single tap will guide users toward deeper comprehension.
Google introduces “SGE while browsing” to help users navigate long-form content
A pioneering initiative within Search Labs, “SGE while browsing,” is set to redefine web navigation. Tailored for in-depth engagement with lengthy content, this feature is currently accessible through the Google app on Android and iOS, and will soon be available on Chrome for desktop. The objective is to leverage generative AI’s prowess to expedite information extraction from web pages.
By tapping into “SGE while browsing,” users can instantly access AI-generated summaries of article highlights, along with direct links to pertinent sections. The tool also facilitates exploration with “Explore on page,” spotlighting questions the article addresses and enabling quick leaps to relevant sections. These functionalities help not only in grasping intricate subjects but also in other tasks such as recipe hunting or research. As per Google’s blog post:
“SGE while browsing” was specifically designed to help people more deeply engage with long-form content from publishers and creators, and make it easier to find what you’re looking for while browsing the web. On some web pages you visit, you can tap to see an AI-generated list of the key points an article covers, with links that will take you straight to what you’re looking for directly on the page. We’ll also help you dig deeper with “Explore on page,” where you can see questions the article answers and jump to the relevant section to learn more.
“SGE while browsing” is exclusively tailored for freely accessible web articles. It does not extend to content behind paywalls. Publishers maintain control, with the freedom to indicate whether their content is freely accessible or not.
For users already opted into SGE, this experiment is automatically accessible. However, for new users, “SGE while browsing” can be explored as a standalone experiment in Search Labs. Users can share insights and feedback through Search Labs on the Google app (Android and iOS) or on Chrome desktop, contributing to the ongoing evolution of this experiment.
In addition to announcing “SGE while browsing,” Google also revealed that SGE’s reach now extends to coding, with specific attention given to generating code overviews. This feature, supporting numerous programming languages and tools, assists with problem-solving and code comprehension. New enhancements will introduce color-coded syntax highlighting, making key code elements like keywords, comments, and strings visually distinct.
