Google is launching a new test that integrates Audio Overviews into its search engine, designed to help users grasp complex topics more effectively. This feature will be available to participants in the Search Labs program, and aims to provide a conversational audio experience for certain queries through the advanced Gemini AI models. With this new feature, users will have the option to generate Audio Overviews when they conduct searches that the AI can respond to audibly. This overview will include a “generate” button if the option is available for the specific search, leading to a separate section within the search results.
This area will clearly indicate what users can expect, such as a prompt that reads, “Listen to…” followed by the topic of interest, like noise cancellation technologies. The Audio Overview section will also include a play button and specify the duration of the audio response. Similar to existing AI Overviews, users will be provided with citations that indicate the sources of the information. A carousel featuring the websites utilized for the information will be available as well.
As this is still in a testing phase, Google encourages users to offer feedback using thumbs-up and thumbs-down options. Moreover, users interested in participating can join the Search Labs experience. This new feature draws parallels to the Audio Overviews previously introduced in NotebookLM, which allowed for more in-depth research with conversational AI co-hosts. However, unlike NotebookLM, this search version focuses on providing condensed information without user-specific documentation.
Overall, Google’s initiative aims to streamline the process of understanding complex information quickly and efficiently, potentially reminding users of a podcast-like engagement.