Google began testing AI-summarized results in Google Search, known as AI Overviews, two years ago and continues to roll out the feature across new regions and languages.
The company reports significant success, with AI Overviews now utilized by over 1.5 billion users monthly in more than 100 countries.
AI Overviews aggregates web results to answer specific queries. For instance, searching “What is generative AI?” will display AI-generated text at the top of the Google Search results page. While this feature has reduced traffic to some publishers, Google views it and other AI-driven search functions as potential revenue generators and tools to enhance user engagement.
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In October, Google introduced ads within AI Overviews and has recently begun testing AI Mode, allowing users to ask complex questions and follow-ups seamlessly. This initiative aims to compete with chat-based search platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
During its Q1 2025 earnings call, Google also emphasized the growth of its AI-based search products, including Circle to Search. This feature, which enables users to highlight content on their smartphone screens and ask related questions, is now available on over 250 million devices, up from about 200 million late last year. Usage of Circle to Search increased nearly 40% quarter-over-quarter.
Additionally, Google reported steady growth in visual searches. CEO Sundar Pichai noted that searches through Google Lens, its multimodal AI-powered search tool, have surged by 5 billion since October, with shopping activity on Lens rising over 10% in Q1.
This growth occurs amid significant regulatory scrutiny of Google’s search practices. The U.S. Department of Justice continues to push for the separation of Chrome due to findings of an illegal online search monopoly. A federal judge has also ruled that Google holds an adtech monopoly, potentially paving the way for a breakup.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
