Simply put Magi means Magic. The new AI-powered Google Search Engine that was rumored to be under Project Magi was announced yesterday. However, access to the new Google Search generative experience (SGE) is currently through a Google Labs waitlist .
The waiting list is limited to the USA at the moment. This means it will take some time before we get a chance to experience it.
That said, we take a look at how the magical experience will look like with AI.
1. Search Engine Results Page with an AI-Powered Snapshot
Google Search Engine will display an AI-generated answer. Google says it aims to make search easier, quicker to understand, and provide relevant insights that will aid users to get things done quicker.
Suggestions will suggest what one can do next including asking the AI more questions. This will be a conversational mode that will help users explore more about a topic.
Sensitive Topics
One key thing to note is that AI answers won’t be generated for all searches. Google AI will keep away from sensitive topics that affect Your Money and Your Life (YMYL). Subjects around health and finances will have no AI input at the search level.
This is different from Bing Chat which does show results for health and medical content.
In a larger context, we wait to see what will be classified as health as they are topics around Yoga, Fitness, and Zodiacs. They may have a lot of content to leave out or categorized differently.
2. Perspective Feature in Google Search
Google had already announced that it has been prioritizing content that was produced with a degree of experience. This means that Google has in the recent past given value to content from people with first-hand experience on the topic at hand.
With the new update, a Perspectives filter may appear at the top of search results. Google Search users can tap on a see more filter. They will access long and short-form videos, images, and written posts that people have shared on discussion boards, Q&A sites, and social media platforms.
Google will then give a brief bio about the creators of the content that appears under the perspective filter. Definitely, this is Google’s attempt to make it easier to find authentic perspectives and improve how content ranks for search overall.
3. Integration of Shopping with Google Search Results
Google has tapped into its Google shopping graph which has over 35 billion product listings to inform users via its new generative AI. A summary of key factors to consider will appear on the results page when one searches for a product.
Google search users will also get product descriptions that include relevant, up-to-date reviews, ratings, prices, and product images see product descriptions that include relevant, up-to-date reviews, ratings, prices, and product images on the page.
Additionally, the links to websites will be prominent.
Clicking on one of the brands in Google’s AI-generated answers (including products), it loads a sidebar with different options for where to buy.
4. Search Ads Continue to Appear
Google Search Ads remain on the Search Engine Results Page. Being a key revenue earner for the company, the Search Ads will be labeled “Sponsored”.
The ads will continue to appear in dedicated ad slots throughout the page. Google maintains it will continue to seek ad transparency and there will be a clear distinction between ads and organic results as has been the case.
