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Google is exploring options to charge for “premium” features powered by generative artificial intelligence (genAI), which could shake up its core search business and the entire search industry.
The idea is to bring value-added artificial intelligence services to its premium subscription, which also offers Gemini AI Assistant in Gmail and Google Docs. Google's traditional search engine will remain free to users and supported by advertising. But charging for enhanced search capabilities may be a first for the company.
Google has been testing an experimental artificial intelligence search service that can provide detailed answers to queries. This is a preliminary test case for Search Generated Experience, or SGE, supported by LL.M. PaLM 2, which generates “artificial intelligence-driven snapshots” of results. By the end of 2023, 77.8% of searches had SGE results, and this number continues to grow.
What we won't talk about much, but need to discuss a lot, is the massive amount of computation required to produce genAI results. Google's ad-supported business model is designed to support these soaring costs. Subscriptions may seem like an economical solution unless your entire user base is accustomed to “free.” Unless the value proposition is clear and compelling, it’s difficult to change behavior in a paid model.
By the way, I switched from free to premium subscriptions for ChatGPT and Perplexity.
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At the same time, Google faces competition not just from search companies such as Microsoft. must and Duck Goalso from ChatGPT and Perplexity, etc.
In fact, I use Perplexity as my search engine when I need to find a direct answer or solution. It saves me time from having to dig into Google's high-quality output algorithms, and it adds footnotes to the results in case I want to verify the information or learn more.
I'm not the only one with these new behaviors.
For example, think back to the rise of Web 2.0. Do you still read the manual?
No, no one does that. Instead, you'll most likely go to Youtube to learn how to use, make, fix, or build something. But as with Google search, we rely on the accuracy of our algorithms to determine relevance. You will most likely need to watch more than one video.
Today, smart consumers use Chat GPT application, or in my case, new Ray-Ban Meta AI Motorized sunglasses that point the camera at an object and let generated artificial intelligence provide instructions.
Remember when we stopped reading instructions and went to YouTube to learn how to use, make, or fix something?
There's an AI app that can do just that…
Now you can use ChatGPT, point your camera at an object, ask a question, and get answers specific to you. pic.twitter.com/sBcrUiS1hi
— Brian Solis (@briansolis) April 14, 2024
Since the debut of ChatGPT in November 2022, Google has announced that internalcode red,The company asked its founder to return to work and has been grappling with a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with information.
Even before ChatGPT, Google was facing competition from TikTok and Instagram as mobile consumers prefer peer-driven content that is more trustworthy than traditional SEO results.
Interestingly, genAI may be just the thing to help Google and all businesses.
Look, Google isn't the only company threatened by artificial intelligence or even social media search. Any company with a website is now threatened by these new smart platforms and behaviors.
In traditional search, SEO strategies such as keyword optimization, page ranking, and intuitive desktop and mobile design will help competitive companies achieve better results. But what happens when consumers turn to genAI or social and use a more personalized way to search for information or desired results? How does your website, product or service or solution perform in these use cases?
It’s time to find out and react accordingly. There is no longer one actor or platform that connects curiosity, intention and outcome.
One of the most interesting things about artificial intelligence and social media search is the conversational aspect of prompts or search queries. Keywords are a thing of the past. More specific instructions or questions have become the norm.
Actually I just present Discuss this topic in Florida.
I call these new moments of search and discovery “ignite moment”. This is when someone asks a question or seeks to learn more about a topic.
Where are they going?
What do they prompt or ask?
What format do they prefer?
Most importantly, how do you help them find you, and once you have their attention, how do you deliver the most relevant and productive journey?
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