Riding the AI Express: Google's Game-Changing Search Update
Just yesterday (May 10, 2023), Google posted an article discussing Google's new search feature that leverages artificial intelligence to provide more diverse perspectives and experiences from people around the world.
Here are the key points:
(1) Generative AI Search Results are on it's Way
Google is reimagining Search using generative AI, not only to provide quick insights but to connect users with people and perspectives to aid in decision-making. This is a big shift from their current search, which has features like "Rich Snippets" that are in a sense using AI, to aiming to provide much more complete answers.
(2) Google "Perspectives" - Real User Insights Integrated Into Results
In the coming weeks, a new "Perspectives" filter will be introduced, which when selected will show long- and short-form videos, images, and posts shared by people on discussion boards, Q&A sites, and social media platforms. Detailed information about the creators of this content will also be provided. This is their attempt to capture more accurate reviews and experiential style insights.
The "Perspectives" feature will be useful in situations where users can benefit from the experiences of others, such as moving to a new city and seeking advice on making new friends, but there are going to be plenty of applications and user generated searches that will benefit from this sort of information.
(3) Personal and Expert Viewpoints Being Rewarded With Higher Rankings
Google is also improving its ranking system for search results, focusing more on content with unique expertise and experiences. An update to the system will help Google better understand and rank content created from personal or expert viewpoints.
Quality reviews, and insight into experiences and shared experiences is going to be more important than ever on the review side of things.
(4) The "Hidden" Gems Are Everywhere - Newbies Can Be Rewarded
Google is working on highlighting "hidden gems" in its search results - useful information that may be found in unexpected places such as comments in a forum thread or posts on lesser-known blogs.
This is good news if you are just getting rolling, or haven't gained traction. Authority blogs and blogs that have been around for some time, aren't necessarily the ones that are providing the BEST information on a particular topic.
Also, comments and discussions that take place on a website often times carry the answers to many of the questions that people have, and to this point have been used sparingly by Google.
(5) Original Reviews Matter - Rehashed Info, Not So Much
Changes are also being made to the ranking of review content. Greater emphasis will be placed on the quality and originality of the information, including reviews based on first-hand experience or created by experts in the subject matter.
In saying this, first hand experience is not always a true gauge of whether or not a product/service is quality, as consensus and understanding the pros and cons from a broader perspective is helpful. This doesn't mean that you have to own every product you review, but you have to offer insight and perspective to rank the highest.
(6) As Always, the BEST Content Always Wins!
Google continues to focus on information quality, authoritativeness, expertise, and trustworthiness in order to provide reliable search results to its users.
Google has continually made algorithmic updates in efforts to get closer to the best value, and away from content that is lacking useful insights, authority, and quality. Expect this to be a trend for as long as Google exists.
There you have it. A debrief of Google's latest article, and where I personally see these changes heading. The AI component has yet to be full integrated, and we will keep you updated on these evolutions as they transpire.
Google is making these changes to its Search to better connect users with the wealth of wisdom and experience available on the web, helping them make more informed decisions
We will continue to equip you with the best tools, and the best information and platforms to best equip you to win within the Google (and search engine world).
I would love to hear your feedback on these updates, so drop your comments (or questions below).
Recent Comments
102
It's great that Google are expanding and giving users a better user experience with AI.
I must admit, AI is very intriguing and though I've been slacking lately, I am now wide awake and eager to use AI to its full potential.
There is absolutely no reason to be lazy about content creation with AI like Chat GPT creating great content from the outlines of topics you give it.
Let's hear more about it Kyle!
No more slacking! lol
We are going to keep you in tune with AI here at WA, and there are discussions happening daily in respect to AI and the new world we are entering. We also have plenty of training, and integrations relating to AI here so you are going to remain way ahead of the game. :)
Hi Kyle,
I must say I like number 4 the best.
I've known for years that what makes some sites like Reddit special and a draw are the vast comment sections where so many look forward to interacting. I've always know that if a blog was to find their own comment sections active they have a winner. Part of why I get dismayed when I see folks commenting on a blog to crockets from the blogger.
I'll be curious to see how this changes search once implemented fully.
I know the advice many give for example is to target keywords where forums are the top spots. But here in the U.S. for some time Google has actually given those forums their own area now which makes that approach growingly obsolete.
About the only certainty we can have is they are always changing the game and we can only write the best posts and hope the quality is so great we make it through those changes.
Thanks for sharing this with us,
Regards,
Jason
Google is looking for the most relevant content to the question that people have, and information they are looking for. That is not always found within the article itself, or within website style content. It is often found within discussion platforms, and within the comment sections on websites.
This puts more and more value on the comment side and engagement side of your business as that can now lead to rankings. :)
Some of the most challenging yet rewarding blogs are unique review. This, for most of us is a challenge due to not being able to own or use the product we are reviewing to complete the review with genuine hands-on experience. my niche is included. I'm looking at purchasing products just to review, then sell these once I have written my review. This is still something I'm looking at doing quite soon.
Hi Dale,
I think your plans to buy the products for review would definitely give you an edge over those who study other owners reviews for sure. I applaud you for taking this route. I know many can't afford it and some have been quite successful using others reviews and creating a summary of those. But I would always find the review of a real experience to be more compelling.
Regards,
Jason
Hi Dale
I think that's a great idea. I'm in the smartphones niche and I have reviewed mainly smartphones that I have hands on experience with.
I have purchased some smartphones as well just to review and then I kept them to play around and also to be able to look at them to answer any questions I get from my readers or viewers.
I wish you good luck and I hope it all goes well for you. All the best to your success.
Regards
Timothy
Thanks Jason, yes it adds authenticity and credibility. Thanks for your comments. best wishes to you
Hi Kyle, thank you for the update. It sounds interesting. Does that mean that to rank on Google, we'll have to own the product we review, or we'll have to create an article based on our personal experience? If it's the case, my website will be gone because I don't own any of the products I reviewed:)
As far as concerned, I can't afford to buy a yacht, not yet:)
You may check out Kyle's resources below. Why You Don’t Need to OWN a Product to Review It. How to Sell Without Being a Salesperson You're Not An Expert, Shut Your Mouf!
Hi Abie, thank you very much for the links you shared:)
Are these links still relevant for the new Google update?
That is not the case. You have to offer an insightful, experience based article..that doesn't mean you need to buy every product/service. Consumer reviews doesn't buy every "car" they review, but they offer a thorough and very insightful review into the product.
Google is after your approach and the thoroughness of your reviews. You can get a breakdown of the high quality reviews here:
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/ecommerce/write-high-quality-reviews
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This is exciting news to hear. As a writer of high-quality content in the form of how-to articles based on personal experience in my area of expertise loaded with imagery I take or create myself, it would be great to be recognized sooner by Google for this.
Many of the currently high-ranking websites I'm competing against have content that just skims over the basics without giving the users real knowledge or resources to implement the methods and techniques.
Also, most of them also contain outdated or opinionated ideas that I feel do more harm than good, so it would be great if Google could actually learn to differentiate this and reward those of us that put in a lot of effort in creating content that is unique and truly informative.
James, Model Railway Techniques.