Google today rolled out Search Live in the U.S. Before today, Search Live was in Google Labs as an opt-in feature.
- Search Live, built into the Google app, lets people talk directly with Google Search in real time.
- Users can share their phone camera feed so Search can “see” what they’re looking at.
How it works. Tap the Live icon in the Google app (Android, iOS).
- Ask questions.
- Optionally turn on the camera so Search can interpret what’s in front of you.
- Search responds with answers, context, and cites its sources at the bottom.
What’s new: Unlike earlier testing in Labs, the full release includes both voice and camera input. Google demoed this at I/O, but only the talk-and-listen mode was live until today.
What it looks like. Here’s a video Google shared of Search Live:
Why we care. This is another way users can have conversations with Google’s AI instead of typing queries. Answers could increasingly bypass traditional clicks, and further erode traffic to websites. The inclusion of links (citations at the bottom) means publishers and brands could still see some benefits, but most searchers likely will have little need or desire to click on those links or dig deeper after getting their answer.
Google’s announcement. 5 ways to get real-time help by going Live with Search
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Danny Goodwin is Editorial Director of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events. Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.
