What is Search Generative Experience?

For over a decade, Google has been the go-to search engine for those who want to find something, whether it’s the answer to a question, a product or service, or ideas for days out with the family. The search giant is all about making search quicker, easier and more convenient, which is what its latest experimental technology aims to do.

Search Generative Experience is a new approach to search results, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to provide users with a quick, clear overview of search topics. The results appear above search listings, meaning you can find summaries of topics without having to click on a webpage. This is particularly useful for people searching for an answer to a question or how-to instructions.

How does Google SGE work?

Google Search Generative Experience uses generative AI to produce results – but what exactly is that?

Generative AI refers to algorithms that can create new content – including text, images, audio and video – from a wide array of sources. It is trained on large language models to be able to understand a search query and provide an answer much like a human would. It uses a combination of AI technologies, including natural language processing, machine learning and deep learning, to understand a variety of complex subjects, using that data to deliver a fast, easy response to searches.

You can even ask follow-up questions related to your original question, and receive concise, relevant answers. It’s worth noting, however, that not all search queries produce an SGE response.

Benefits of SGE

There are several benefits of SGE for users:

• Simple overview of complex topics: If you’re asking a question about a complex topic, SGE will provide a clear, concise summary that gives you a basic understanding of the subject without overwhelming you with details.
• Related queries: SGE is more interactive than traditional search. It not only provides an answer to your query, but suggests follow-up questions to help you gain more insight if you require it.
• Related links: SGE provides links beside or below the AI-generated summary (depending on the device you’re using) to provide quick access to more information. This again can help you go deeper into a topic quickly without having to trawl through different search results.

Considerations for using SGE

It’s important to note that Google Search Generative Experience is an experimental feature, and may sometimes provide incorrect or inaccurate information. Google has added a disclaimer, reminding users that the technology is experimental. If searching for financial, safety or health information, you will also see a disclaimer that the answer provided is for information purposes only and an advisory note to consult a professional for guidance.