Google launches Search LabsNew search function "Web Guide", further integrating AI into the search experience, analyzing search content and organizing it into groups through the Gemini model, helping users find the information they need faster.
Although Google says this move will help improve search efficiency, this feature may also reignite controversy over search result ranking and content control.
In the user interface displayed on the official blog, Google uses the search "how to solo travel in Japan" as a demonstration. Web Guide categorizes the results into sections based on the nature of the content, such as "Complete Solo Travel Guide to Japan," "Personal Experiences and Travel Advice," and "Safety and Destination Recommendations." Each section is topped with a brief summary generated by Gemini AI and offers a "See More" option for users to expand and read more related website content.
compareAI Mode, which has already been popularized to American usersThe Web Guide presents content in a more logical structure and avoids simply copying text from other websites. This has led some media outlets and content creators to be more cautious about this feature. After all, AI-generated summaries have been used to mislead people in the past, such as the absurd AI claim that "glue can be used as pizza sauce," which still leaves a lasting impression.
The launch of Web Guide continues Google's strategy of using AI to reshape the search experience. However, similar practices have raised concerns within the media industry. For example, the News/Media Alliance has previously protested AI Mode, accusing it of directly "stealing content." A recent Pew Research Center report also revealed that only 8% of users clicked on actual website links when AI summaries appeared in search results, a significant decrease from the 15% rate when no summaries were present. Furthermore, as many as 26% of users ended their search after viewing the results and did not visit other websites, significantly impacting traffic to many news and content websites.
Currently, Web Guide is only available for testing in the US for users enrolled in Search Labs. The feature can be tried in the "Web" tab of the search interface. We anticipate expanding the Web Guide feature to more search scenarios, further challenging users' existing search habits and information source preferences.
