Google is stuffing even more ads into its AI results
1 min read
Summary
Google has announced that it is to test ads in its new AI Mode search feature, which is essentially a chatbot that gives users a run-down of search queries, along with links to relevant websites.
This could mean product recommendations and other advertisements may surface in response to queries.
For example, if a user asks for tips on how to build a website, AI Mode may offer a step-by-step guide and also show an advert for a website building service, labelled as ‘sponsored’.
Google is also expanding its ads in AI Overviews, which are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of some search results, to include desktop devices.
Ads in AI Overviews on desktop devices are rolling out in the US, with an expansion into other countries later this year.
This move could lead to a proliferation of ads in organic search results, making it harder for users to distinguish between genuine search results and paid ads.