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Last month, during their I/O conference, Google announced something huge that's set to change how we use search engines: AI Overviews. Starting on May 14, these AI Overviews will be available to all users, showing up at the top of search results whenever Google's systems think these AI-generated answers can quickly provide helpful information.
What Are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are summaries created by Google's advanced AI models to directly answer your questions. These summaries pop up at the top of the search results page, aiming to give you quick answers without needing to click on multiple links. Here's a simple breakdown of Google's two new AI-driven response methods:
AI Overviews vs. Direct Answers
AI Overviews: Comprehensive summaries from Google's AI, combining info from various sources to give a quick, clear answer at the top of the search results page.
Direct Answers: Short text snippets pulled directly from Google's indexed web pages, usually showing up within the traditional search results, often below the AI Overview or directly under the search bar.
Key Differences:
Features | Focus | Appearance | Functionality |
AI Overviews | Summarized Answer | Top of Search Results Page | Provides a concise answer using AI models from various sources |
Direct Answers | Short Answer Snippet | Within Search Results (below AI Overview or search bar) | Extracts a relevant answer snippet from a webpage |
Check out the image below to see what both look like in a desktop search result for "solar panel functionality":
As you can see, the AI answer takes up a lot of space at the top of the search results, pushing the organic results further down. Clearly, Google wants to keep users on their platform by giving them immediate answers.
What People Are Saying
Despite the benefits, many users in the Google Search Community are not happy about not being able to turn off AI Overviews. Here's a snapshot of what people are saying:
Is There a Solution?
Google's new "Web" filter under the "More" dropdown menu offers a partial fix. This filter lets you view the old-style search results, showing the classic 10 blue links without any extra media like images, videos, or AI features.
The Future of Search with AI
Google's new tagline from the I/O conference, "Google wants to do the googling for you," signals a big shift. With their Gemini AI model, search queries will be analyzed to provide direct answers at the top of the search results. While this means faster access to information, it also brings some challenges:
For Users: Faster access to info without clicking through links.
For Websites: Possible drop in traffic, especially for news sites.
Concerns: Accuracy and bias in AI-generated answers, and the risk of reducing critical thinking if users don't explore different sources.
Why It Matters
This major change in Google's search functionality has wide-reaching effects. While it aims to improve user experience, there are valid concerns about its impact on website traffic and the overall quality of information online.
Order with Google – Is Coming to an End This Month
If you like to order food with Google, you should know Order with Google is ending this month. Using this feature, users could place delivery or pickup orders directly through Google Search and Maps, using a prominent "Order with Google" button.
Let’s Learn More About Order With Google:
The feature was introduced to streamline the food ordering process. Here's how it worked:
Whenever a user searches for a restaurant on Google Search or Maps, a blue "Order with Google" button appears next to participating restaurants.
When clicked on the button restaurant’s menu appears, and users can place orders directly through Google's platform.
Google has partnered with third-party delivery services like DoorDash and Grubhub for delivery purposes.
The "Order with Google" button was a convenient one-stop solution for users looking to order food without navigating to a separate website or app.
What Can Restaurants Do Now?
As "Order with Google" is ending, restaurants will need to figure out how to reach online customers for order delivery and pickup. A few options they can opt for:
Partner with third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats.
They can create their own online ordering system and encourage customers to use it.
Use Google Business Profile to ensure your restaurant appears high on Google Search and Maps.
You can try social media ordering, where platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer built-in ordering features for restaurants.
GBP Waves Goodbye to Chat and Call History!
In a recent update, Google announced that starting July 31, 2024, they will bid farewell to chat features and call history tracking on Google Business Profile.
What Were These Features and Why Were They Useful?
Chat: This feature enabled customers to message your business directly through GBP on Google Search and Maps. It provided a convenient way for real-time communication and lead generation, enhancing customer engagement.
Call History: This feature keeps track of calls made directly through your Business Profile. It helped businesses understand how many calls they received and track their effectiveness in converting those calls into customers.
Why is Google Shutting Them Down?
Google stated, "These features have relatively low usage, and we're prioritizing focus on higher-impact features for merchants." This decision reflects Google's ongoing effort to streamline its services and concentrate on tools that provide the most value to businesses.
Key Dates to Remember
July 15, 2024: This is the last day for customers to initiate new chat conversations. Existing chats will continue, and users will be notified about the upcoming shutdown.
July 31, 2024: Chat functionality will cease entirely. You will no longer receive new messages or be able to view past chat history within GBP. Call history reports will also be removed on this date.
Preparing for the Change
Download Your Data: You have until August 30, 2024, to extract your chat history using Google Takeout. It will allow you to retain a record of past customer conversations for future reference.
Update Your Profile: Since chat is going away, consider revising your welcome message to direct customers to your preferred communication methods, such as phone numbers, email, or social media handles.
Explore Alternative Solutions: Many communication platforms integrate with business operations. Look for options like SMS marketing, live chat software, or social media messaging features to continue real-time interactions.
Actionable Strategy
If retaining your data is essential, extract it using Google Takeout before August 30, 2024. It ensures you have a record of your past customer interactions, which can be valuable for understanding customer needs and improving future communication strategies.
As Google phases out these features, adapting and exploring new ways to engage with your customers effectively is essential. By updating your communication strategies and leveraging alternative tools, you can continue maintaining strong customer connections and drive business growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google's recent innovations, including AI Overviews and the discontinuation of features like "Order with Google," signify a transformative shift in online search and business interaction. While AI Overviews aim to enhance user experience by providing quick answers, concerns about their impact on website traffic and critical thinking remain. As businesses adapt to these changes, embracing new communication strategies will be essential for maintaining strong customer relationships in this evolving landscape.
If you need assistance navigating the changes brought by AI Overviews or have questions about optimizing your Google Business Profile, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Quickemarketing.com.
Quicke Marketing
850-565-9343
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