Over the years, the way we find information online has gone through a complete transformation. From typing in simple keywords to asking complex questions, the tools we use have kept evolving. Now, thanks to the rise of generative AI, the search experience is stepping into a whole new territory—one where you don’t just get results, you get a helping hand that can summarize, plan, and even think a few steps ahead for you.
The latest development brings in a powerful AI engine designed specifically to work behind the scenes in search. This tech is built to not just find stuff online, but to understand what you’re really looking for—and then present it in a way that saves you time and energy.
Quick Summaries So You Don’t Have to Dig
There are plenty of times when you need an answer fast, but the topic is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. That’s where AI-generated overviews come in. Instead of clicking through a bunch of different pages and piecing things together yourself, you can now get a compact summary of the most important info, all pulled from multiple reliable sources.
And the beauty of it? You’re not locked into that short version. You’ll still get links to explore more, dive deeper, and verify details if you want. It’s a time-saver, not a shortcut.
These overviews are now being made available more broadly, starting in the U.S., and gradually rolling out to the rest of the world. As this new feature reaches more people, it’s already showing signs of reshaping how we browse—more clicks to helpful pages, more satisfied users, and a wider range of sites getting attention.
Tailor the Answers to Your Needs
Soon, you’ll be able to tweak how these overviews are presented. Whether you’re looking for a simpler explanation or want something broken down step-by-step, you’ll be able to adjust the summary to match your level of understanding.
Let’s say you’re explaining something to a child or learning about a subject for the first time—having the option to simplify things makes a big difference. This update is on its way for English-language users in the U.S., through a program called Search Labs.
Ask Complex Questions Without Breaking Them Down
One of the most exciting updates is the ability to handle layered, multi-part questions. Instead of doing multiple searches and connecting the dots yourself, you can now ask one detailed question and get a response that covers all angles.
Picture this: You’re trying to find a yoga or pilates studio in Boston that’s not just highly rated, but also close to your commute and offers new member discounts. In the past, you’d need several searches to get there. Now, you can ask one well-phrased question and receive a personalized set of recommendations—complete with locations, ratings, and offers.
These multi-step queries are coming soon and are being tested right now through early access programs.
Build a Plan—Not Just Get an Answer
The technology isn’t just good for answering questions; it’s becoming a tool for building plans. Say you’re organizing meals for a group or planning a weekend trip—you’ll soon be able to get structured, ready-to-use plans directly from your search.
For instance, if you look up a “3-day meal plan for a group that’s easy to prepare,” you’ll get a complete, customizable plan, with links to recipe sites and easy options to swap out meals or ingredients. You can even export the plan straight into a document or email.
Meal and trip planning is already being piloted, and more categories—like party planning, workouts, and date nights—are expected to follow later this year.
Smarter Results That Are Easy to Browse
Sometimes you’re not looking for a specific answer—you’re just exploring ideas. Maybe you’re searching for a nice place to celebrate an anniversary, but you’re open to suggestions. That’s where a new AI-organized results page can be a game-changer.
Instead of a standard list of links, you’ll start seeing results grouped by themes or categories, like “romantic steakhouses,” “live music spots,” or “critic picks.” This makes it way easier to find something that catches your eye, even if you weren’t sure what you were looking for when you started.
This creative way of organizing search results is launching first for categories like food and dining, with plans to expand into movies, music, books, hotels, and shopping soon.
Video-Based Search: A New Way to Ask Questions
Words aren’t always the best way to explain something—especially when it comes to gadgets or problems you can’t name. That’s why video-based search is on the horizon. You’ll be able to record a short clip of whatever issue you’re having, add your question aloud, and get help based on what’s shown in the video.
Imagine you’ve picked up a vintage record player from a thrift store, but the needle arm won’t stay put. Instead of trying to describe the issue, just show it. The AI will interpret the video, understand what’s happening, and give you tips or resources to fix it.
This is rolling out soon as an experimental feature, starting with English-speaking users in the U.S., and more locations will follow.
The Future of Search Is All About Ease
This isn’t just about faster results. It’s about making the whole process of looking things up feel less like a chore. Whether it’s planning your next trip, comparing workout studios, or figuring out how to fix something at home, the goal is to turn search into something that does more of the work for you.
What’s coming next is a search experience that feels more like a conversation, a brainstorming partner, or even a planning assistant. And the best part? You don’t need to be tech-savvy to take advantage of it. All it takes is curiosity—and the right question.
If you’re interested in being among the first to try out these features, keep an eye out for beta programs or early access opportunities. The landscape of search is changing fast—and it’s built to work harder so you don’t have to.