Latest news with #Search
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Search is readying the next generation for AI: Morning Brief
In case there was any thought tech giants would ease up on AI spending sprees, Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) threw another $10 billion into the mix just to be sure. The company's stellar quarter — flashing strength in advertising and its cloud businesses — appeared to more than justify the amped up investment, which is now set to reach $85 billion this year. But the Google parent also succeeded in advancing another urgent mission: convincing investors it can transition its search empire into an AI-infused one. AI Overviews, Google's search product that summarizes key information on a topic or question, has grown from 1.5 billion monthly users to more than 2 billion, underscoring its strong adoption. Google executives have framed its enhanced search features as an evolution of the company's core business. Along with AI Mode — an expansion of Overviews — the company says the tools are driving people to search even more. Double-digit revenue growth in search suggests AI is expanding the market. "We like the integration of AI features (AI Overviews and AI Mode) within Google Search and view these additions as important in maintaining Google Search's relevance, especially with younger users, while opening up new generative AI monetization vectors for the firm," said Malik Ahmed Khan, equity analyst at Morningstar, in a note on Thursday. The knock on Google's AI approach is that in trying to fend off a new wave of AI-powered answer engines, like those from Perplexity and OpenAI, its reinvention will cannibalize search revenues. But Google's advertising business has proven resilient, even as AI adoption has grown. "Another stable quarter for Search results increases our confidence in the AI transition and should ease concerns on a potential revenue reset," said Bank of America analysts Justin Post and Nitin Bansal in a note Thursday. It also helps that Google's cloud business is a force of its own. Executives said the cloud unit now touts an annual revenue run-rate of more than $50 billion, which means questions over AI monetization don't have to be answered right away. Besides, Google's AI-powered rivals aiming to disrupt the web browser also have to become advertising powerhouses to take on the search giant's dominant position. Of course, Google's race to integrate AI into the search experience has broader implications for online publishers and the way people interact with the web. Google users who are shown an AI summary are less likely to click on links to other websites than users who do not see one, according to a recent Pew Research Center report. Google users who encountered an AI summary also rarely clicked on a link in the summary itself, the study found. The findings, which were first published in May and reposted this week with additional analysis, add weight to concerns that AI-powered answer engines will steer people's attention away from the businesses, subject experts, writers, and artists that rely on Search to send people their way. And on one level, that's Google's problem too. Tearing down a successful ad model to build out an ambitious AI-centered regime could ultimately diminish the broader internet and Google's financial standing. But the company's leaders have expressed confidence they can usher in a new age of search. Whether the ecosystem Google helped create will be sacrificed in the process isn't yet answerable in a tidy box. Early returns suggest perhaps not. Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on X @ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Search is readying the next generation for AI: Morning Brief
In case there was any thought tech giants would ease up on AI spending sprees, Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) threw another $10 billion into the mix just to be sure. The company's stellar quarter — flashing strength in advertising and its cloud businesses — appeared to more than justify the amped up investment, which is now set to reach $85 billion this year. But the Google parent also succeeded in advancing another urgent mission: convincing investors it can transition its search empire into an AI-infused one. AI Overviews, Google's search product that summarizes key information on a topic or question, has grown from 1.5 billion monthly users to more than 2 billion, underscoring its strong adoption. Google executives have framed its enhanced search features as an evolution of the company's core business. Along with AI Mode — an expansion of Overviews — the company says the tools are driving people to search even more. Double-digit revenue growth in search suggests AI is expanding the market. "We like the integration of AI features (AI Overviews and AI Mode) within Google Search and view these additions as important in maintaining Google Search's relevance, especially with younger users, while opening up new generative AI monetization vectors for the firm," said Malik Ahmed Khan, equity analyst at Morningstar, in a note on Thursday. The knock on Google's AI approach is that in trying to fend off a new wave of AI-powered answer engines, like those from Perplexity and OpenAI, its reinvention will cannibalize search revenues. But Google's advertising business has proven resilient, even as AI adoption has grown. "Another stable quarter for Search results increases our confidence in the AI transition and should ease concerns on a potential revenue reset," said Bank of America analysts Justin Post and Nitin Bansal in a note Thursday. It also helps that Google's cloud business is a force of its own. Executives said the cloud unit now touts an annual revenue run-rate of more than $50 billion, which means questions over AI monetization don't have to be answered right away. Besides, Google's AI-powered rivals aiming to disrupt the web browser also have to become advertising powerhouses to take on the search giant's dominant position. Of course, Google's race to integrate AI into the search experience has broader implications for online publishers and the way people interact with the web. Google users who are shown an AI summary are less likely to click on links to other websites than users who do not see one, according to a recent Pew Research Center report. Google users who encountered an AI summary also rarely clicked on a link in the summary itself, the study found. The findings, which were first published in May and reposted this week with additional analysis, add weight to concerns that AI-powered answer engines will steer people's attention away from the businesses, subject experts, writers, and artists that rely on Search to send people their way. And on one level, that's Google's problem too. Tearing down a successful ad model to build out an ambitious AI-centered regime could ultimately diminish the broader internet and Google's financial standing. But the company's leaders have expressed confidence they can usher in a new age of search. Whether the ecosystem Google helped create will be sacrificed in the process isn't yet answerable in a tidy box. Early returns suggest perhaps not. Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on X @hshaban.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Search is readying the next generation for AI: Morning Brief
In case there was any thought tech giants would ease up on AI spending sprees, Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) threw another $10 billion into the mix just to be sure. The company's stellar quarter — flashing strength in advertising and its cloud businesses — appeared to more than justify the amped up investment, which is now set to reach $85 billion this year. But the Google parent also succeeded in advancing another urgent mission: convincing investors it can transition its search empire into an AI-infused one. AI Overviews, Google's search product that summarizes key information on a topic or question, has grown from 1.5 billion monthly users to more than 2 billion, underscoring its strong adoption. Google executives have framed its enhanced search features as an evolution of the company's core business. Along with AI Mode — an expansion of Overviews — the company says the tools are driving people to search even more. Double-digit revenue growth in search suggests AI is expanding the market. "We like the integration of AI features (AI Overviews and AI Mode) within Google Search and view these additions as important in maintaining Google Search's relevance, especially with younger users, while opening up new generative AI monetization vectors for the firm," said Malik Ahmed Khan, equity analyst at Morningstar, in a note on Thursday. The knock on Google's AI approach is that in trying to fend off a new wave of AI-powered answer engines, like those from Perplexity and OpenAI, its reinvention will cannibalize search revenues. But Google's advertising business has proven resilient, even as AI adoption has grown. "Another stable quarter for Search results increases our confidence in the AI transition and should ease concerns on a potential revenue reset," said Bank of America analysts Justin Post and Nitin Bansal in a note Thursday. It also helps that Google's cloud business is a force of its own. Executives said the cloud unit now touts an annual revenue run-rate of more than $50 billion, which means questions over AI monetization don't have to be answered right away. Besides, Google's AI-powered rivals aiming to disrupt the web browser also have to become advertising powerhouses to take on the search giant's dominant position. Of course, Google's race to integrate AI into the search experience has broader implications for online publishers and the way people interact with the web. Google users who are shown an AI summary are less likely to click on links to other websites than users who do not see one, according to a recent Pew Research Center report. Google users who encountered an AI summary also rarely clicked on a link in the summary itself, the study found. The findings, which were first published in May and reposted this week with additional analysis, add weight to concerns that AI-powered answer engines will steer people's attention away from the businesses, subject experts, writers, and artists that rely on Search to send people their way. And on one level, that's Google's problem too. Tearing down a successful ad model to build out an ambitious AI-centered regime could ultimately diminish the broader internet and Google's financial standing. But the company's leaders have expressed confidence they can usher in a new age of search. Whether the ecosystem Google helped create will be sacrificed in the process isn't yet answerable in a tidy box. Early returns suggest perhaps not. Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on X @ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Google Search gets smart product tracking, AI Virtual Try-On: What's new
Google is rolling out a set of new shopping features for Search in the US, which is designed to make the online buying journey more tailored and interactive. The new tools include customisable price tracking, a virtual try-on feature for clothing, and visual inspiration for outfits or interior. According to Google, these tools use AI and Google's Shopping Graph to deliver a better experience for users. Virtual Try-on Features Unveiled at I/O 2025 and tested through Search Labs in May, Google's virtual try-on feature is rolling out in the US. Users can upload a full-body image with 'good lighting' and no one else in the frame to see how clothing looks on them in real time. This AI tool uses a custom image generation model that accurately reflects how fabrics fold, stretch, and fit on diverse body types. Custom price alerts with smarter tracking Google's price alert tool lets users define their own price drop thresholds. A new slider-based setting called 'Only notify me below a specific price' enables alerts to be sent when a product drops to a set amount. Users can also choose to track specific colours or sizes. The Shopping Graph has products and prices from all across the web so it lets the user know when there is an offer that meets their criteria. These updated alerts are now marked with a Gemini sparkle icon, this highlights the use of AI-driven product suggestions. Visual inspiration for outfits or interior Google is also previewing a new feature coming to AI Mode this fall. It will allow users to explore shoppable outfit and room ideas using vision match technology. For example: whether you are looking for style inspiration for a green flowy dress for a garden party or design ideas for a bedroom. By analysing images and queries, it will surface personalised product matches from over 50 billion items in Google's Shopping Graph.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Google's 'Try it on' AI tool lets you try clothes virtually and track the best deals
How often does it happen that we spot an outfit online, but when we try it on, it just doesn't look like how we imagined it? Google seems to resonate with our struggle and is stepping in with a tech-savvy solution. On Thursday, the company rolled out a new AI-powered feature that lets you virtually try on clothes before buying them. The new "Try it on" AI tool by Google has been launched in the U.S.(Unsplash) Available now in the US, the new Try It On feature works across Google Search, Shopping, and even product results on Google Images. All you need to do is tap the 'Try it on' icon on eligible listings, upload a full-length photo, and within moments, you'll see a realistic AI render of yourself wearing that outfit. 'You can scroll through other looks you've tried, save your favourites, or share them with friends before making the call,' a Google spokesperson confirmed. Google previously tested a similar technology through its experimental app Doppl, which takes things a step further by generating AI videos to showcase outfit movement. While Doppl is designed for in-depth style exploration, the integrated feature within Google Shopping makes it easy for casual browsers to get a quick, personalised preview. Price tracking gets personal In addition to the try-on tool, Google is enhancing how users keep tabs on prices. With the new price tracking feature, you can now set alerts not just for specific items, but also specify the size, colour and most importantly, your budget. 'No more constantly checking to see if that bag you're eyeing is finally at the right price,' said Danielle Buckley, Director of Consumer Shopping at Google. 'We'll notify you the moment there's a deal that meets your exact criteria.' This personalised price tracking is powered by Google's Shopping Graph, which is a massive AI-enhanced index of more than 50 billion products from across the web. The alerts aim to make online shopping smarter and far less stressful. What is Google's next move? A personal AI stylist? Google is also planning to turn Search into your personal stylist and interior decorator. Rolling out this fall in the US, the new AI Mode will let users explore fashion and decor inspiration tailored to specific themes, occasions, or vibes. For instance 'a green dress for a garden party' or 'cosy minimalism for a bedroom revamp.' Powered by generative AI and Google's massive Shopping Graph, the tool will present curated visual ideas alongside shoppable product suggestions, making it easier to go from inspo to add to cart in seconds. It's all part of Google's broader push to make online shopping not just more personalised, but more delightful. From trying on outfits virtually to setting custom price alerts, Google is giving users smarter tools to shop with confidence, and maybe even resist those impulsive 'just because' purchases.
