6 New Countries, Including India, Gets Google Search AI Overviews

Google has announced that it plans to expand its AI Overviews feature to six additional countries, and India is among them.

Google has announced that it plans to expand its AI Overviews feature to six additional countries, and India is among them. This expansion comes approximately two months after the initial launch of the feature in the United States. Google's AI Overviews, which debuted in the US in May, is designed to provide users with a concise summary of a topic or search query directly in the search bar. This summary is generated by analysing information from multiple sources across the web, offering a quick overview before users delve into specific search results.

The tech giant's journey with generative AI in search began last year with experiments in Search Labs. These trials have been instrumental in shaping Google's approach to integrating AI into its core search product, with a focus on user benefit and maintaining a healthy web ecosystem.

"In May, we launched AI Overviews in Search, starting with the U.S., to help people quickly find information and discover all the web has to offer. Already, people are asking longer questions, diving deeper into complex subjects and uncovering new perspectives — which means more opportunities for people to discover content from publishers, businesses and creators," Hema Budaraju, Senior Director, Product Management, Search, Google, said in a statement.

"Now, we’re bringing AI Overviews to six new countries, including India, sharing a few updates around our ongoing work to connect people to the richness of the web, and introducing helpful updates for AI Overviews in Search Labs."

Google's AI initiatives in India have already seen positive reception. Indian users participating in early experiments appreciated localised features such as a bilingual toggle and text-to-speech capability. These India-specific adaptations demonstrate Google's commitment to tailoring its AI offerings to diverse global markets.

The AI Overviews feature, first introduced in the U S in May, aims to provide users with quick, comprehensive information on their search queries. Early data suggests that this feature is encouraging users to explore more complex topics and ask more in-depth questions. This trend could potentially lead to increased engagement with content from publishers, businesses, and creators.

This global expansion of AI-powered search features marks another step in Google's ongoing efforts to reimagine its search engine for the AI era, potentially reshaping how users interact with and discover information online.