Google tests audio summaries with AI

Google has recently introduced a new feature that allows Google Gemini AI to create summaries about a topic in the search results. This brings together information from different sources and gives you the option to listen to an audio summary. In this blog post, we look at this development and explain what impact it could have on Google's search results.

For test subjects in the USA only

At the time of writing, this feature is only available if you are a member of the Google Test Program, and only in the US. In the Netherlands and Europe, this function is not yet available. However, as soon as the test phase is complete, the function will be introduced worldwide.

Google points out that the function is still in the test phase and may therefore still contain problems or glitches in the audio.

Google continues to link to sources

Even with this audio summary, Google continues to display the sources in the overview, although the question of course remains as to how many users will click through to them for further information. A topic where there is still little certainty. And the figures that do exist are often already outdated or no longer relevant after a recent update. In fact, development in this area is progressing at a rapid pace. It is as if an arms race is taking place between the major parties.

New functions are added with every update, which brings a lot of uncertainty for traditional publishers on a website, but also on social media platforms such as YouTube and the like. Audio is also taking up more and more space on many platforms for images and audio files.

It is also emphasized that the summaries still refer to the original sources and creators in the overview. This is a development that makes many a website operator feel insecure about the future.

Offer your own content in podcast format too

One strategy you can use to capitalize on this is to also offer your content in audio format. At the beginning of your content, you can then embed your podcast internally or via an external source such as Spotify. Offer your content to your visitors not only in written form. But also in audio format to provide as many visitors as possible with the content they prefer.

This way you can also offer existing content on multiple platforms, outside of the regular search results in Google. Podcasts can also be found on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube and shared on social media. In this way, you can bypass the traditional "flow" of a user, which can be summarized as follows: The user enters a search query, selects from the search results and visits the website. So what is at risk? Offer your content and services directly via other channels. To generate alternative traffic sources for your website.

As with other Google experiments in artificial intelligence, the success of this feature will depend on how early users interact with it. And the future will tell if this feature is rolled out globally to all users.

What measures are you taking to ensure visitors continue to come to your hosting site? Share it with us on social media!

Read the original sources at:

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-launches-audio-ai-overviews-in-search-labs-test/548991/

https://blog.google/products/search/audio-overviews-search-labs/