Tag: Search

Featured Article : UK Publishers Can Opt-Out Of Google AI Search Results

Posted on by Paul Stradling

The UK has become the first country in the world to require Google to let publishers opt out of AI-generated search results without sacrificing their visibility in traditional search rankings.

A New Rule For AI Search

The change follows intervention by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has imposed a new conduct requirement on Google under the UK’s Digital Markets regime.

The regulator says the move is designed to give publishers greater control over how their content is used within Google’s increasingly AI-driven search experience, while also improving transparency for users.

In practical terms, publishers will be able to prevent their content from appearing in AI-generated search features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode while remaining fully indexed and ranked within conventional Google Search results.

The CMA describes this as a “world-first” requirement and says it will help secure “a fairer deal for publishers and consumers” as AI becomes more deeply embedded within search services.

Why Publishers Have Been Concerned

The dispute centres on a growing tension between AI search systems and the websites that provide much of the information they rely on.

For decades, publishers have accepted that Google could index their content because search results generally sent visitors back to their websites. However, AI-generated summaries increasingly answer users’ questions directly on the search page, reducing the need for people to click through to the original source.

Many publishers argue that this allows AI systems to benefit from their content while reducing the traffic that helps fund journalism, research, reviews, and other forms of online publishing.

Recognising those concerns, the CMA says publishers will now have “effective tools to prevent their content being used to power AI features in search, such as AI Overviews”. The regulator believes this will place publishers “in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google”.

The move also extends beyond search summaries. Following consultation feedback, Google will be required to allow publishers to opt out of having their content used for the “fine-tuning” of AI models, giving them greater control over how their material is used across a wider range of AI applications.

How Google’s New Controls Will Work

Google has already begun testing the new controls with a subset of UK website owners and plans to roll them out globally.

According to the Google blog, website owners will gain access to “a new control that lets website owners manage how their links and content appear in generative AI Search features”.

The company says website owners will be able to decide “if they want their site to appear in and help ground responses in our generative AI Search features”.

Importantly, Google has confirmed that publishers who choose to opt out will not be penalised in traditional search rankings. As the company explains, “This control will not be used as a ranking signal for search results outside of these generative AI Search features.”

That distinction is crucial because many publishers have previously argued they faced an impossible choice between allowing AI systems to use their content or disappearing from Google’s search ecosystem altogether.

The controls will also be accompanied by new reporting tools within Google Search Console, giving website owners greater visibility into how their content appears within AI-generated search experiences.

A Bigger Change In Search

The announcement comes at a time when Google is rapidly transforming how search works.

Google says AI Overviews now reaches more than 2.5 billion monthly users, while AI Mode has surpassed one billion monthly users. The company argues that people are increasingly turning to generative AI tools to help them “find, sort through and understand information”.

Google also maintains that AI search creates new opportunities for publishers rather than simply diverting traffic away from them. The company says AI features are designed “to help people find and visit great websites” while helping publishers “strengthen their audiences”.

To support that goal, Google says it has increased the number of links appearing inside AI-generated responses and is continuing to experiment with new ways of encouraging users to visit source websites.

However, the CMA clearly believes safeguards are needed as these systems evolve. For example, CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said: “With features like AI Overviews rapidly reshaping online search, it is crucial that content publishers, including news organisations, have appropriate bargaining power over how their content is used.”

The regulator has also required Google to improve attribution, ensuring publisher content is accompanied by clear links when it appears inside AI-generated search responses.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For businesses, the decision highlights how quickly AI is changing the economics of online visibility.

Whether organisations publish news, research, product information, professional advice, or marketing content, the way that material is discovered online is evolving rapidly as AI-generated answers become more common.

The CMA’s intervention suggests regulators are increasingly concerned about ensuring a fair exchange of value between AI platforms and the organisations that create the content those platforms rely upon.

The wider significance extends beyond publishers alone. As AI systems become more deeply integrated into search, businesses will need to think carefully about how their content is being used, where their traffic comes from, and how they maintain visibility in a world where users increasingly receive answers without leaving the search page.

Google’s new controls may not resolve every debate around AI and content ownership, but they do represent one of the first major attempts anywhere in the world to give content creators more control over how their material is used within AI-powered search systems.

Tech News : Why YouTube Mentions Matter More Than Backlinks In AI Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

A study of 75,000 brands has found that being talked about on YouTube may now be a stronger predictor of AI visibility than backlinks, domain authority, or even the size of a company’s website.

The Research

The findings come from SEO platform Ahrefs, which analysed brand visibility across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Google AI Overviews to identify which factors were most closely associated with appearing in AI-generated responses.

The results suggest that the rules of online visibility may be changing as AI increasingly becomes the way people discover information, products, and services.

According to the study, mentions of a brand on YouTube showed the strongest correlation with AI visibility across all three platforms. These mentions included brand names appearing in video titles, transcripts, and descriptions.

Perhaps even more surprising was the fact that traditional SEO signals performed relatively poorly by comparison. Domain authority, backlinks, referring domains, and website size all showed significantly weaker relationships with whether a brand appeared in AI-generated answers.

Why YouTube Seems To Matter So Much

One reason YouTube may be proving so influential is that it occupies a unique position within the modern AI ecosystem.

Large language models learn from enormous volumes of publicly available text, and video transcripts have become one of the richest sources of conversational content on the internet. Google also regularly cites YouTube content within its own AI-generated responses, creating a feedback loop between the platform and AI search systems.

The study suggests that AI systems increasingly pay attention to where brands are being discussed, not simply what brands publish on their own websites.

As Ahrefs notes: “Your brand’s presence across the web—not just your own website—is what AI Overviews draw on when deciding whether to mention you.”

That represents a potentially significant change from traditional SEO thinking, which often focused heavily on optimising pages, building backlinks, and increasing domain authority.

Mentions Matter More Than Links

One of the most interesting findings was the strength of unlinked brand mentions.

Historically, SEO professionals have often focused on backlinks because search engines used them as a signal of authority. However, AI systems appear to place greater value on simply seeing brands discussed across a wide range of sources.

Ahrefs found that branded web mentions showed a much stronger relationship with AI visibility than backlinks. The company concluded: “Web mentions (0.664) correlate much more strongly than backlinks (0.218).”

The study also found that the strongest factors were all external signals rather than metrics controlled directly by a company’s own website. Branded web mentions, branded anchor text, and branded search volume all outperformed traditional technical SEO measurements.

Importantly, the findings do not suggest that backlinks or domain authority have become irrelevant. Rather, they suggest those signals may now form only part of a much wider picture that AI systems use when evaluating brands.

A Different Way Of Thinking About Visibility

The findings arrive at a time when AI-generated answers are increasingly replacing traditional search results.

Many users now receive answers directly from ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, or AI Overviews without ever clicking through to a website. This has led marketers to focus increasingly on how often AI systems mention their brands rather than where they rank on a search results page.

Ahrefs argues that visibility in AI search increasingly resembles reputation management rather than traditional SEO.

As the company explains: “The strongest correlations with AI Overview mentions are all off-site factors.”

The implication is that businesses may need to think less about producing ever larger volumes of content and more about encouraging genuine discussion across the wider web.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For businesses, the research suggests that visibility in AI search is becoming increasingly tied to brand awareness, reputation, and third-party discussion rather than purely technical SEO factors.

A strong YouTube presence may help, but the wider lesson is that AI systems appear to be paying close attention to what other people say about your business. Reviews, interviews, podcasts, media coverage, industry commentary, customer discussions, and creator content may therefore become increasingly important sources of visibility.

The study also challenges the idea that publishing more content automatically improves discoverability. Ahrefs found only a weak relationship between the number of pages on a website and AI visibility, suggesting that simply expanding content volume may deliver limited returns.

As AI search continues to evolve, businesses may need to think beyond their own websites and focus more heavily on building a presence across the wider digital ecosystem. The companies most likely to be recommended by AI increasingly appear to be those that people are already talking about, discussing, reviewing, and mentioning across the internet.

Security Stop-Press : Users Turn Away From AI Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

DuckDuckGo says it has seen a surge in users following Google’s latest AI search announcements, highlighting growing concerns about AI-generated search results.

The privacy-focused search engine reported US app installs increased by an average of 18.1 per cent week-on-week after Google’s I/O conference, peaking at 30.5 per cent. Independent analytics firm Apptopia also reported a 29 per cent increase in US downloads.

The increase followed Google’s expansion of AI Overviews and AI Mode, which provide AI-generated answers directly within Search. Critics have raised concerns about accuracy, transparency, and reduced user control.

DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg claimed that “Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out” and said users should be able to choose “how much or how little AI they want”.

Businesses should remind staff to verify important information using trusted sources rather than relying solely on AI-generated summaries, particularly when making financial, legal, technical, or security-related decisions.

Video Update : Find EVERYTHING With New 365 Copilot Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Microsoft 365 Copilot Search can find information across your emails, documents, chats, meetings and apps from a single search box, helping you locate answers faster, reduce time spent searching, and stay productive without constantly switching between different Microsoft 365 tools.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It may be best to download it first]

Tech Tip – Turbocharge Windows Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Want to find your files in seconds? Get instant access to your Windows files, documents, and apps by enabling Enhanced Search Indexing. Here’s how:

For Windows 11:

– Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
– Select the “Enhanced” option under “Find my files”.

For Windows 10:

– Go to Settings > Search > Searching Windows.
– Click on “Classic” and select “Enhanced” to enable Enhanced indexing.

Customising Search Locations:

To refine your search results and focus on the files and folders that matter most to you:

– Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows (Windows 11) or Settings > Search > Searching Windows (Windows 10).
– Click on “Customise search locations” or “Advanced indexer settings”.
– Click “Modify” to add or remove indexed folders.

News : Google’s Real-Time Translation on ‘Circle to Search’

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Google has announced a major upgrade to its Circle to Search feature, allowing users to see live translations as they scroll through content on their screens.

What Is Circle to Search?

Circle to Search is a relatively new tool on Google’s Android that allows users to search directly from whatever they’re viewing on their phone. Introduced globally in January 2024, the feature lets users activate a search by circling, highlighting, scribbling on, or tapping any part of their screen, without needing to switch apps or open a browser. The tool is essentially designed to make on-the-fly research and translation faster, more contextual, and more seamless across Android devices.

To launch it, users simply long-press the home button or navigation bar. Once activated, they can interact with whatever is on their screen, e.g. an image, a product, a word in another language, and instantly trigger a Google Search related to that element.

Google originally introduced Circle to Search on its Pixel 8 series and Samsung Galaxy S24 devices, positioning it as a flagship AI-powered search interface. Since then, its capabilities have expanded rapidly. For example, earlier in 2025, Google added AI Overviews (summary answers generated by generative AI) and smart tap functions for phone numbers and URLs visible on screen. In May, it also rolled out “AI Mode,” which lets users ask follow-up questions related to what’s on their screen, similar to how you might query a chatbot.

Now “Scroll and Translate” Added

Last week’s update focused on translation. Previously, users could translate foreign-language text using Circle to Search, however, the feature had a frustrating limitation, i.e. the translation would disappear whenever the user scrolled, refreshed the page, or switched apps. To continue translating, they had to restart the whole process manually each time.

Now, Google has added a new “scroll and translate” mode that keeps translation active while users move through content. This means that translated text updates continuously as a person scrolls down a webpage, swipes through images, or even switches between apps. There’s no longer any need to keep reactivating the tool.

The updated feature is being rolled out first to (select) Samsung Galaxy devices running Android, with wider availability expected in the coming weeks. To use it, users just activate Circle to Search as normal, tap the “Translate” icon, and select “Scroll and translate.” The live translation then stays active until they exit the mode.

Why This Update Could Make a Real Difference

According to Google, translation has become one of the most widely used features within Circle to Search, particularly for users encountering foreign-language content on social media, in images, or while navigating websites and apps abroad. However, until now, it hasn’t been particularly smooth to use.

As Google explained in a recent blog post: “You can get more context for social posts from creators who speak a different language, or browse menus when you’re booking restaurant reservations while travelling abroad. But until now, you had to restart the translation process every time you scrolled or the content on the screen changed.”

The new “scroll and translate” mode, therefore, has been designed to address that limitation directly. Once activated, it allows translation to remain on as users move through pages, swipe across photos, or even switch between apps. Google says the aim is to make interacting with foreign-language content feel more continuous and intuitive.

How This Could Help More Than Just Travellers

While this might appear to be a minor user interface tweak, the impact could actually be broader than it first appears. For international teams and mobile professionals, the ability to get uninterrupted translation in real time may reduce friction in daily workflows.

For example, reading through a contract, document, or website in another language no longer means repeatedly triggering a translation tool. With the new update, translated content can stay visible as the user moves through it, which may prove especially useful when skimming longer texts, working with multilingual sources, or reviewing supplier and customer information on the go.

The feature also reduces reliance on third-party translation apps or copy-paste methods. For businesses, that could mean smoother collaboration across regions, fewer errors introduced by switching tools, and a faster way to understand what’s on screen without leaving the task at hand.

Google and Its Competitors

The update may strengthen Google’s position as a leader in mobile search and ambient AI integration. Circle to Search is one of the company’s most visible efforts to embed AI more deeply into the daily experience of Android users, without requiring them to open dedicated apps.

By removing friction from multilingual browsing, Google is also essentially extending its dominance in the translation space. For example, Google Translate already reportedly serves over 500 million people each day, and the new feature effectively bakes that capability into Android’s navigation layer. This could reduce usage of rival apps and services such as Microsoft Translator, DeepL, or third-party browser extensions.

More broadly, the move could be said to illustrate Google’s ongoing strategy to layer AI tools into operating systems, search workflows, and productivity tools rather than offering them only as standalone products.

According to Jack Krawczyk, Senior Director of Product at Google, who oversees many of the company’s AI integrations, “We think the best AI is the kind that’s helpful when you need it and invisible when you don’t. Circle to Search is designed to remove the friction between what you see and what you want to know.”

Who Can Use It and When?

The “scroll and translate” feature is already starting to roll out to users on supported Android devices. Initially, it will be available on select Samsung Galaxy models, with broader rollout expected to follow shortly. Google has not given a definitive timeline for when other Android devices will receive the update, but given past patterns, it’s likely to extend to Pixel and other high-end models first before reaching wider mid-range devices.

Users will need to ensure they are running the latest version of Android and have updated their Google app to access the feature. There’s no indication yet that the feature will come to iOS, as Apple currently does not support Circle to Search.

Potential Use Cases for Businesses

For UK business users in particular, the practical benefits are tangible. Teams that interact with overseas suppliers, manufacturers, or clients could use the feature for quick translation of communications, spec sheets, or product listings. HR teams dealing with multilingual job applications, or marketing teams researching global campaigns, could also find the real-time translation useful in their day-to-day work.

Also, because it doesn’t require switching between apps or screens, the process is less disruptive and more conducive to multitasking. As more work takes place on mobile devices, including messaging and approvals, the integration of live translation at OS level is likely to become increasingly relevant.

Concerns?

Despite the clear benefits, the new translation feature isn’t without its concerns. For example, privacy campaigners have previously raised questions about Circle to Search more broadly, particularly around how much screen data is shared with Google during a search.

Google has stated that Circle to Search only processes the exact area selected by the user and that all interactions are covered by the same privacy protections as standard search queries. However, continuous translation raises new questions, especially if text is being interpreted and sent to Google’s servers as users scroll across private chats or internal business documents.

Another concern is that real-time translation accuracy is still variable, depending on the language pair and complexity of the text. While Google Translate has improved significantly in recent years, it can still struggle with nuance, idiomatic expressions, or specialist technical vocabulary.

There’s also the issue of platform exclusivity. For example, by limiting new features to select Android devices (often in partnership with Samsung), Google may face criticism for fragmenting the user experience across the wider Android ecosystem. This could leave users of other brands or older devices without access to key updates.

Also, competitors such as Apple and Microsoft may see this move as a signal to accelerate their own integrations of translation and AI capabilities into mobile workflows. Apple already offers on-device translation in Safari and the Translate app, but not yet at the OS interaction level seen here.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

This latest update may appear incremental, but it’s actually a sign of Google trying to integrate more AI-driven tools directly into mobile interfaces in ways that simplify daily tasks. For UK businesses, especially those with international operations or multilingual clients, it opens up new opportunities for faster and more accurate decision-making on the go. Having real-time translation embedded at system level reduces the need to rely on separate apps or switch between tools, which can often slow down workflows and introduce errors.

At the same time, it raises fresh concerns around privacy, platform fragmentation, and dependency on a single provider for key language processing tasks. Organisations handling sensitive data may, therefore, need to consider where that information is going and how it is processed during on-screen translation. Smaller device makers and software rivals may also feel pressure to respond, particularly as Google continues to consolidate its AI advantage through tighter integrations.

What’s clear is that Circle to Search is no longer just a novel gesture-based tool. With features like “scroll and translate”, it is starting to become a more practical part of the Android user experience, particularly for professionals who rely on speed, accuracy, and context when working across languages.

Tech Insight : What Is Google ‘Discover’ And How Can It Help?

Posted on by Paul Stradling

In this Tech Insight, we look at what Google Discover is, how it works, and how UK businesses can use it to boost visibility, traffic and engagement without relying on search.

A Quiet Revolution in Discovery

Google Discover isn’t new, but its importance has grown sharply in recent years. Originally launched in 2012 under the name Google Now, the feature began as a predictive assistant, offering up reminders, boarding passes, event alerts and other useful snippets throughout the day. Over time, many of these utilities were moved into Google Assistant, and the feed itself gradually evolved into what became known simply as the Google Feed.

In 2018, it was rebranded as Google Discover, with a clear shift in purpose: to deliver a personalised stream of content to users based on their interests and activity, all without needing them to type in a search. Since then, Discover has quietly become a major traffic driver for news sites, blogs, lifestyle content and increasingly, e-commerce and B2B brands.

For example, according to Google’s own figures, over 800 million people now use Discover each month, and while the company doesn’t publish detailed usage statistics, Search Engine Journal and others report that some media outlets receive up to 40 per cent of their mobile traffic from Discover.

So What Is Google Discover, Exactly?

Google Discover is a personalised content feed that appears directly within the Google app on both Android and iOS devices. It uses machine learning to show you articles, videos, and other online content that match your interests, based on your previous activity.

What makes it different from a news aggregator or a social feed is the way it predicts what you might want to read or watch next, without requiring any input, i.e. there’s no need to type anything in. The user simply opens the app, and it’s all there.

Where Do You Find It, and How Does It Work?

To access Google Discover, users open the Google app which is pre-installed on most Android phones and available on iOS via the App Store. The Discover feed appears directly beneath the search bar on the app’s home screen. On Android, for example, it’s also often accessible by swiping right from the home screen, depending on the device.

On iPhone, users find it under the “Home” tab in the Google app. On Android, it appears in a dedicated “Discover” tab. The feed includes scrollable cards featuring headlines, featured images, and links to the full content, which can be articles, YouTube videos, blog posts, or product pages.

There is no prominent label marking the content as part of Google Discover, but when users scroll through a personalised feed of recommendations in the Google app without entering a search, that is the Discover feed in action.

Personalised But With a Purpose

Google Discover is basically powered by signals from a user’s Web and App Activity, including previous search queries, website visits, YouTube history and location data. The feed can be refined by interacting with the control icons on each content card, such as the heart icon or the three-dot menu, to indicate whether more or less content of a certain type or from a particular source should be shown.

As a result, the feed evolves continually, not just in response to newly published content but in line with the user’s changing interests over time.

How Businesses Can Benefit

For UK businesses, Google Discover offers several potential benefits, such as:

– Brand exposure beyond search queries. Content can reach users even when they are not actively searching.

– High mobile engagement. As Discover is currently available only on mobile devices, it provides direct access to mobile-first users.

– Topical visibility. Content aligned with trending or niche interests may receive significant short-term visibility boosts.

– Longer shelf life for evergreen content. Unlike social media posts, which tend to fade quickly, high-value Discover content can reappear when it becomes relevant again.

A 2024 analysis by Seer Interactive found that most Discover content is seen within three to four days of publication, but older content can still surface if it is considered helpful to a user’s interests. This makes it a useful channel for both timely updates and evergreen material.

However, getting into Discover isn’t guaranteed. A user’s content must be high quality, indexed by Google, and comply with Discover’s content policies. As Google puts it, “Being eligible to appear in Discover is not a guarantee of appearing.”

What Kinds of Content Work Best?

Discover tends to favour:

– News and topical content (e.g. current events, technology, finance).

– How-to and educational guides.

– Blog and lifestyle content (e.g. fashion, food, fitness, travel).

– Product-led content like buying guides or comparisons.

A study from Searchmetrics found that 46 per cent of Discover URLs were from news sites, while 44 per cent were from e-commerce or commercial domains. This mix highlights its appeal across industries.

Visuals Important Too

It should be noted here that visuals also play a critical role. For example, Google recommends using high-quality images of at least 1200 pixels wide and enabling them via the max-image-preview:large tag in your website’s header. Sites that only use small thumbnails or logos are less likely to be surfaced.

How To Optimise for Google Discover

Unlike traditional SEO, optimising for Google Discover is less about keywords and more about content quality and relevance. According to Google and SEO experts, the following best practices can improve the chances of content appearing in Discover:

– Focus on E-E-A-T. Content should demonstrate Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness. This is particularly important for topics related to finance, health and business.

– Create helpful, people-first content. Clickbait headlines and manipulative imagery should be avoided. Google’s systems penalise content that withholds key information or uses exaggerated claims to drive engagement.

– Use engaging visuals. High-quality images and videos help attract clicks and improve content performance.

– Optimise metadata. Page titles should clearly reflect the main topic without being overly promotional.

– Improve mobile user experience. Fast-loading, mobile-friendly websites perform better in Discover, which is currently a mobile-only feature.

– Leverage structured data. Schema markup is a type of code that helps Google understand what the content is about. Using formats such as Article, NewsArticle or VideoObject can help clarify the purpose and type of content.

Discover performance can be tracked in Google Search Console using the “Discover” report, which shows impressions, clicks and click-through rate over a 16-month period. However, because Discover traffic is recorded as “Direct” in Google Analytics, Search Console remains the more reliable source for analysis.

Access and Availability

Google Discover is free to use, both for users and for content creators. Users access it via the Google app on Android or iOS, or via some mobile browsers on the Google homepage. Businesses don’t need to pay to appear, although Google Discovery Ads, a separate paid product, allow businesses to place sponsored content into the feed.

Discovery Ads can extend the reach of brand storytelling or promotional content, but they follow separate rules and are managed via Google Ads, not organic inclusion.

The organic Discover feed is primarily available in mobile form, though recent reports suggest that Google is testing a desktop version, which could increase its value for B2B and SaaS companies with more desktop-centric audiences.

Who Can Use It And What’s Required

Any business with a website indexed by Google is technically eligible for Discover. There’s no need to apply or sign up. However, visibility depends on several factors, which are:

– Content must be deemed helpful and relevant by Google’s systems.

– It must be well-formatted for mobile, and free from violations such as misleading titles or adult content.

– Businesses must avoid hosting content that could be seen as low-quality, offensive, or manipulative. For example, Discover applies SafeSearch filters and additional relevance controls.

It’s also worth noting that Discover content is driven by individual user interests. If those interests shift, or if the content becomes less relevant, visibility may drop. This makes Discover an unpredictable, though potentially powerful source of traffic.

As Google explains: “Given its serendipitous nature, you should consider traffic from Discover as supplemental to your keyword-driven search traffic.”

Are There Any Alternatives?

While no rival offers quite the same predictive content feed on search platforms, there are several comparable features from other tech companies, such as:

– Microsoft Start. This is a personalised news feed integrated into Windows and the Edge browser, showing curated content.

– Apple News. Available on iOS devices, this offers personalised news and magazine content. However, it prioritises selected publisher partnerships and doesn’t index the open web.

– Flipboard. This is a popular app that curates content based on interests, similar to a digital magazine.

– Facebook’s News Feed and LinkedIn’s feed can serve a similar discovery role, though these are typically limited to in-network or followed sources.

These platforms may be better suited for audience engagement, but none really match Google Discover’s reach, automation, or integration with search intent. For that reason, Discover has quietly become an essential part of the content strategy playbook, particularly for mobile-first businesses aiming to grow their reach.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For UK businesses, Google Discover could present a real opportunity to reach audiences who may never have searched for them. Its personalised, interest-based model allows content to appear in front of users at the moment it is most relevant, without the need for a query. This gives brands the chance to surface articles, videos or product content in a more organic and contextually aware way than traditional search. For those already investing in quality content, it provides an additional pathway to visibility, one that can support both brand building and direct engagement.

However, while the potential reach is significant, the unpredictability of Discover may make it less dependable than search for consistent traffic. The feed is shaped by shifting user interests and algorithmic decisions that are not easily controlled, meaning spikes in visibility can be short-lived. For publishers, this volatility may pose a challenge when forecasting traffic or measuring ROI. For Google, it raises wider questions about editorial responsibility and how its AI models decide what is surfaced, particularly when it comes to news or sensitive topics.

The fact that Google does not offer detailed breakdowns of Discover’s performance data also limits transparency for businesses trying to assess impact. Search Console provides a helpful overview, but for many, the lack of insight into why certain pieces appear or disappear from the feed makes strategic planning difficult. It remains a supplementary channel rather than a core traffic source, particularly for B2B organisations who are still more likely to rely on desktop-based search and direct outreach.

Even so, as Google continues to integrate Discover more tightly with its search ecosystem, the line between active search and passive discovery is blurring. This has implications not only for marketers and content creators but also for how people consume information online. Competing services from Apple, Microsoft and others offer similar functionality, but none currently combine Discover’s predictive capability with the scale and depth of Google’s search infrastructure.

For content-focused businesses, the message about Discover is that clear, high-quality, mobile-friendly content that aligns with user interests is more valuable than ever. Also, while Discover may never be a guaranteed traffic source, it is already influencing how information is surfaced and consumed. Ignoring it could, therefore, mean missing out on a growing and increasingly influential part of the search experience.

Featured Article : Google’s New Voice-Driven Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Users can now hold real-time voice conversations with Google’s AI-powered Search, thanks to a major new feature rollout in the Google app for Android and iOS.

Search Goes Conversational

Google this week announced the launch of Search Live with voice input, a new capability inside the Google app that allows users to engage in back-and-forth spoken conversations with its AI-powered Search tool. Rolled out first in the United States, the feature is initially available to those who have opted into the AI Mode experiment in Google Labs, the company’s testing platform for early-access features.

Hands-Free Search

The launch marks a step forward in how users interact with Search, with Google positioning the update as a more natural, hands-free way to discover and explore information while multitasking or on the move.

Use the “Live” Icon

A dedicated “Live” icon now appears within the Google app interface, allowing users to tap and speak their queries aloud. The AI responds in spoken form, and users can follow up with further questions to refine or expand the topic, thereby mirroring a more human-like back-and-forth conversation.

According to Google, Search Live “lets you talk, listen and explore in real time,” giving users the ability to access web-based information while continuing to use other apps or even switching between tasks. The tool also provides on-screen links to source material, allowing users to dig deeper into AI-generated answers.

Building on Gemini and Search Infrastructure

Search Live actually runs on a custom version of Gemini, Google’s multimodal large language model, which powers many of its generative AI tools. The Gemini model used in AI Mode has been specially adapted to support live voice input, real-time responses, and integration with Google Search’s existing ranking and quality systems.

Liza Ma, director of product management at Google Search, explained in a company blog post that the system combines “advanced voice capabilities” with the reliability of Search’s “best-in-class quality and information systems,” ensuring that responses are both conversational and trustworthy. She also confirmed the use of Google’s ‘query fan-out’ technique, which enables the system to return a more diverse and useful range of web content in response to user questions.

For example, a user might ask, “What are some tips for preventing a linen dress from wrinkling in a suitcase?” and then follow up with, “What should I do if it still wrinkles?” The AI answers audibly while presenting related links on screen. This continuity is key to what Google hopes will be a smoother, more context-aware search experience.

How and Where to Access It

At launch, Search Live with voice is available only to users in the U.S. who have joined the AI Mode experiment through Google Labs. It works on both Android and iOS via the official Google app. There is currently no timeline for a broader international rollout, though Google says it intends to expand features and availability in the coming months.

Users who have access will know because they see a new “Live” microphone icon below the search bar in the app. Once activated, they can ask a question out loud and receive a spoken response. Users can view a transcript of the interaction, continue the conversation via typing if preferred, and even revisit past queries via the AI Mode history log.

Multitask While it Works in the Background

Also, because Search Live works in the background, it enables a degree of multitasking not previously possible with voice-based search tools. For example, a user could begin a conversation in the app, switch to messaging or maps, and continue speaking to the AI without interruption.

Voice, Visuals, and What Comes Next

The introduction of voice input is actually just one part of Google’s broader plan to bring real-time multimodal capabilities into Search. For example, at Google I/O in May 2025, the company previewed future updates that will allow users to combine voice interaction with real-time visual input via their phone’s camera, building on advances made in its Project Astra research and the ongoing development of Google Lens.

Multimodal Search

This evolution represents a deeper move by Google into what’s referred to as multimodal search, whereby users can interact with AI not just through typing or talking, but by showing it what they see. In practical terms, this could include pointing the phone at a confusing diagram or damaged object, asking what it is, and getting a contextual explanation, complete with suggested web links, video tutorials or shopping sources.

It also echoes the direction competitors are taking. For example, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has recently introduced voice interaction capabilities in its mobile apps, and Perplexity AI has gained traction for its own real-time web search and voice tools. Google’s response, with Search Live, is both a defensive and strategic step to stay ahead in what is quickly becoming a crowded, AI-first search market.

A New Frontier for Business and Advertisers?

For business users, the implications of voice-first search are far-reaching. For example, in sectors such as logistics, retail, and field service, the ability to conduct voice-based queries while driving or working could prove invaluable. Search Live also introduces potential benefits for productivity, especially for knowledge workers trying to conduct research or fact-checks while multitasking between devices or applications.

It may also signal a new phase for Google’s advertising ecosystem, although details remain unclear. As Search becomes more conversational and voice-led, traditional search result ads, particularly those dependent on text input and visual scanning, may need to evolve. It’s not yet known how, or if, Search Live results will incorporate sponsored content.

The visual links shown alongside voice answers could potentially become prime real estate for future advertising formats. However, Google has so far remained quiet on how monetisation will work within AI Mode. With more users consuming answers audibly and potentially clicking fewer links, publishers and advertisers will be watching closely.

Challenges

Despite the promise, it should be noted that there are several challenges ahead. For example, accuracy and reliability remain key concerns for AI-generated search responses. While Google stresses its Gemini-based AI uses the same quality controls as regular Search, AI hallucinations (where systems confidently give false or misleading answers) are still a known risk in generative models.

The opt-in nature of the feature also limits immediate user exposure and feedback. By placing Search Live behind the AI Mode experimental wall, Google is clearly seeking to manage rollout cautiously but this also means that the majority of users globally still can’t access or evaluate it.

There are also privacy and data security implications, particularly with voice-based input and persistent conversation histories. Google maintains that users can view, manage or delete their AI Mode interactions, but questions remain over how voice data is processed, stored, or used to train models.

One other aspect critics may point to is the increasing opacity of sources in AI answers. For example, while Google includes clickable links alongside Search Live responses, these can sometimes appear secondary to the spoken reply, which may not fully represent the nuance or breadth of available information. Ensuring transparency and balance in summarised answers will be crucial to maintaining trust, especially as Search Live expands into more domains.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The introduction of Search Live could be seen as the next step in its natural progression towards Google’s long-term vision for AI-powered search. By blending real-time voice interaction with the depth of web content, Google is essentially positioning itself not just as a search engine but as a more intuitive, responsive assistant capable of handling everyday queries in more dynamic, human-like ways. However, the fact that it’s limited to U.S.-based testers in Labs signals Google’s awareness of the stakes involved. It is not just testing technology but testing trust, usability and commercial viability all at once.

For UK businesses, this could open up important new opportunities once rolled out more widely. Voice-driven interaction with AI may reduce the need for screen time in roles where hands-free efficiency matters, i.e. from trades and transport to healthcare and hospitality. It could also help knowledge workers process information faster while juggling tasks, potentially enhancing productivity and reducing friction in routine research or client support work. There are potential implications for business intelligence and even internal training, particularly once real-time camera input is layered in. But these benefits will only be realised if the underlying AI delivers reliable and verifiable responses at scale.

Advertisers and content publishers are likely to be more cautious. With fewer visual interactions, the conventional search engine results page model may weaken. If users hear an answer but don’t tap the links shown, that affects traffic and engagement metrics. This will raise fresh questions about how brands position themselves within voice-first search and whether new advertising formats will emerge within AI Mode or remain separated. Also, the monetisation path here is still not altogether clear and, as Google experiments with form, it may need to reassure partners that function won’t entirely override visibility.

Meanwhile, Google’s competitors such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI will, no doubt, be watching closely. Each is racing to define the next evolution of everyday search, combining voice, visuals and real-time reasoning. Google still has the infrastructure advantage, but the race is no longer just about data—it’s about usability, privacy, and user confidence. In that context, Search Live’s success may depend as much on how it is governed and explained as how well it works technically.

Whether Search Live becomes the new normal or remains a feature for power users will likely depend on the clarity of its responses, the transparency of its sources, and the ease with which users (especially businesses) can trust it as a tool rather than a black box. What is clear already is that Google is laying groundwork for a future where the way we search is no longer typed, but spoken, shown and responded to in real time. Once mainstream, that could fundamentally change how we interact with the web.

Tech Insight : New Ways To Search

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Search technology has transformed significantly from text-based queries back in the nineties to now, where there’s a wide range of interactive methods like voice, visual, and AI-driven tools. Here, we look at how these advancements are reshaping the way we search, with a focus on the latest innovations and trends in the search landscape.

The Changing Landscape of Search 

Search technology is currently undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by fierce competition between major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. While Google remains the dominant force (processing over 8.5 billion searches per day), other players are innovating and closing the gap by integrating advanced AI capabilities and new features. Microsoft’s Bing AI is increasingly incorporating AI-driven results to enhance search relevance, while Amazon focuses on evolving its product search and recommendation algorithms, positioning itself as a major contender in the e-commerce space.

The Way We Search Is Changing 

The way we search is also evolving. Voice search is becoming more prominent, with predictions suggesting that it will account for 30 per cent of all browsing sessions by 2030. Simultaneously, visual search, powered by technologies like augmented reality (AR) and image recognition, is emerging as one of the fastest-growing areas in search technology. These innovations are fundamentally changing user behaviour, as people move from traditional text searches towards more interactive and immersive experiences.

Competition Driving The Change 

The competition between these tech giants is intensifying, with each company striving to create the most seamless, intuitive, and user-friendly search tools. This has led to the development of AI-powered chatbots, AR search experiences, and personalised recommendations that are reshaping the way users interact with search engines.

Now, we’re going to take a brief look at the many types of searches currently available, each offering unique ways to access information and interact with the digital world.

Text Search 

Text search remains the most widely used and traditional search method, where users input keywords or phrases into a search bar on platforms like Google. Whether on desktop, mobile, or the Google app, this type of search allows users to retrieve vast amounts of information based on specific queries. It’s the backbone of modern search engines and is complemented by additional tools that enhance precision, such as advanced search operators.

Voice Search 

With the rise of smart devices, voice search has become increasingly popular. Users can activate searches using voice commands by simply saying “Hey Google” on Android devices or through other assistants like Amazon Alexa or Apple’s Siri. Voice search allows users to ask questions, perform searches, or control their devices completely hands-free. This is particularly useful when multitasking or when typing isn’t practical, and the technology has greatly improved around understanding natural language and context.

Visual Search with Google Lens 

Visual search, led by Google Lens, allows users to search using their smartphone camera. By pointing their camera at an object, text, or scene, users can instantly receive information about it, find similar products, or even translate text in real-time. Google Lens has opened new possibilities, allowing people to search for objects they don’t know the name of but can see. For example, by scanning a plant or an animal, users can identify the species instantly. This tool reflects how search is becoming more intuitive and integrated into everyday experiences.

Google’s New Video Search 

Google is further innovating with its new Video Search feature, which allows users to point their camera at an object or scene, ask a question about it, and receive search results in real-time. This feature enables deeper interaction with the physical world, allowing people to get information on what they are seeing, whether it’s a historical building, a piece of art, or even a consumer product. This development is part of a growing trend where the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds blur, making search more accessible and context-driven.

Image Search 

Image search has evolved to allow users to perform reverse image searches, primarily through Google Images. Users can upload an image or drag and drop it into the search bar to find similar images, verify the source, or learn more about the content. This is particularly useful for identifying things like locations, people, or products based on an image alone. It’s a key tool for anyone needing to trace visual content across the web.

Multisearch (Combining Text and Image) 

Multisearch is an innovative approach that allows users to combine text and image input into a single query. This is ideal for instances where an image alone doesn’t provide enough detail. For example, users can upload a photo of a product and then add specific descriptors such as colour, brand, or style to refine the search. This combination enhances accuracy, especially when searching for specific items or variations that aren’t immediately obvious from an image alone.

Video Search (YouTube and Google Video Tabs) 

Search has become more multimedia-focused, and video search is a huge part of this shift. On Google, users can switch to the “Videos” tab to find relevant content from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or other video-based sources. YouTube itself offers an internal search function, supporting both text and voice searches, allowing users to locate tutorials, entertainment, or educational videos based on their interests. As more content shifts to video formats, this type of search is becoming an essential tool for users.

Maps Search 

Google Maps supports location-based searches, allowing users to find businesses, services, and landmarks in a specific area. With text or voice input, users can search for restaurants, shops, or attractions, while accessing additional features like reviews, photos, and directions. This has become an essential tool for daily life, integrating geographic data with business information, helping people navigate their world with ease.

Hum to Search

If you’re thinking of a song, Google allows you to hum, whistle, or sing the melody, and it can identify the song for you. Note, we have largely focused on Google for this text, although there are other specific platforms that allow users to search for specific sounds to identify their origin, such as identifying a species of bird via its birdsong (e.g. BirdNET or ChirpOMatic). Other specialist platforms doubtless exist for other animals and/or sources of noise.

Shopping Search 

Google Shopping is another popular tool, helping users compare products, prices, and store availability. This search method is increasingly tied to AR (Augmented Reality) tools, where users can visualise products in their space before purchasing. Shoppers can now search for items, filter results based on price, location, or store, and even see product reviews and specifications. The combination of search with AR enhances the shopping experience, making it more immersive and informed.

In-App Search on Mobile Devices 

On Android devices, in-app search allows users to locate content within specific apps directly from the Google search app. This includes finding emails, documents, or social media posts without switching between apps. It’s an efficient way to manage information across multiple platforms, ensuring users can access relevant data without leaving the search interface.

AR Search for 3D Objects 

Augmented Reality (AR) Search has become a notable development, particularly in fields like education and e-commerce. Using Google AR, users can view 3D models of search results, such as animals, historical artifacts, or even products. This type of search is highly interactive, allowing people to see life-like models of objects in their real environment, enhancing the depth of the search experience.

Discover (Content Recommendations) 

Google Discover shifts the search paradigm by offering content without the need for a direct query. This feature curates articles, videos, and other content based on a user’s interests and search history, presenting it in a personalised feed. It’s a proactive search tool, constantly updating to present users with new and relevant content as their interests evolve.

AI-Powered Search Using Chatbots 

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat, have revolutionised search by offering conversational interfaces. Rather than simply retrieving links, these chatbots can generate detailed responses, summarise information, and offer personalised recommendations. For example, users can ask ChatGPT to find information on a specific topic and receive a coherent, natural-language answer, instead of browsing through multiple web pages. These AI tools are rapidly improving, offering new ways to search, especially for more complex, nuanced questions that traditional search engines might struggle with.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The ongoing evolution of search technology presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses aiming to stay visible in this increasingly diverse landscape. As the methods people use to search diversify, companies must adapt their strategies to ensure they can still be easily found across all platforms and search types. It’s no longer enough to rely solely on traditional SEO tactics focused on text-based searches. To maintain or enhance their visibility, businesses now need to consider how they are appearing in voice, visual, and AI-driven searches, as well as adapting to the rise of augmented reality and interactive search experiences.

Voice search, in particular, has significant implications for businesses. As more users turn to devices like smart speakers and mobile assistants to ask questions and perform searches, optimising for voice queries is becoming more important. Voice searches tend to be more conversational and question-based, which means businesses need to adapt their content strategies to capture these queries effectively. For example, having concise, easily digestible answers to common questions about their products or services can help businesses rank higher in voice search results.

Similarly, visual search tools like Google Lens and augmented reality searches are transforming how consumers discover products. Retailers and brands need to ensure that their product images are optimised for visual search. High-quality visuals, detailed metadata, and clear product descriptions can help ensure that when users point their cameras at a product, the brand’s offering appears in search results. Also, augmented reality features, such as those in Google Shopping, allow consumers to visualise products in their environment before purchasing. Businesses that invest in AR-ready content and experiences can now tap into a growing consumer base that values immersive, real-time interactions.

The growing importance of AI-powered chatbots in search also means businesses will need to rethink how they engage with potential customers. AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat provide more in-depth, conversational responses, making it essential for businesses to have well-structured and informative content that these systems can draw from. This means producing detailed yet user-friendly content that provides value and can be referenced by AI systems to give consumers the answers they seek.

For businesses operating in local markets, optimising for Google Maps and local searches is critical. Consumers increasingly rely on location-based searches to find services, restaurants, shops, and more. Ensuring that business listings are accurate, up to date, and include reviews, photos, and essential details is key to capturing local search traffic. Furthermore, investing in local SEO strategies to appear in voice searches for location-based queries will become increasingly important as consumers use voice assistants to find nearby services.