### Google’s AI-Powered Search Results Now Include Ads
**Illustration: The Verge**
—
Google’s AI-driven search summaries, a revolutionary feature that has just been introduced, are now beginning to incorporate advertisements. In an announcement made on Tuesday, Google revealed its plans to commence testing for search and shopping ads embedded within these AI-generated overviews for users in the United States.
**The Shift to AI-Enhanced Search**
The initial rollout of AI summaries marked a significant step forward in Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience by providing concise, AI-generated answers to search queries. However, the recent addition of ads to these summaries indicates a new direction in monetizing these AI features.
**How Ads are Integrated**
In a visual example provided by Google, you can see how the AI overview responds to a query such as “how do I get wrinkles out of clothes?” Below the AI’s suggested solutions, a new “Sponsored” section appears, featuring a carousel of wrinkle spray products available for purchase from retailers like Walmart and Instacart.
**GIF: Google**
Google has specified that ads will be displayed in these AI overviews only when they are relevant to both the search query and the information generated by the AI. This means that advertisers who are already running specific campaigns through Google’s platform might see their ads presented in this novel format.
**Implications for Users and Advertisers**
For users, this blend of AI search results and ads could mean more streamlined and relevant shopping experiences directly integrated into their search results. For advertisers, it offers a compelling new avenue to reach potential customers at the very moment they are seeking information.
As this testing phase unfolds, it will be interesting to see how users react to the presence of ads in their AI-driven search summaries and how effective these advertisements prove to be for brands. This move by Google signals a significant advancement in the interplay between AI technology and digital advertising.
—
Continue reading…
source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/21/24161724/google-ai-search-results-ads-test
