In our relentless pursuit to redefine the capabilities of search engines, Google is proud to introduce two groundbreaking updates that promise to transform the way you search—introducing Circle to Search and an AI-powered multisearch experience. For over two decades, Google has been committed to its mission of organizing the world's information, making it universally accessible and useful. This commitment has been paralleled by continuous advancements in artificial intelligence, enabling a deeper understanding of information in various formats, including text, audio, images, and videos.As part of this evolutionary journey, we've strived to enhance the search experience, making it more natural and intuitive for users. Features like voice search and Lens, allowing searches through the camera, have become integral to expressing search queries effortlessly. Recent tests have explored the capabilities of generative AI in understanding natural language, paving the way for more seamless and intuitive questioning on Search.Our vision is to empower users to search in any way, anywhere they desire. As we step into 2024, Google is thrilled to announce two major updates that bring this vision closer to reality—Circle to Search and an AI-powered multisearch experience. Let's delve into the details of these exciting advancements.

♦ Circle to Search: A Seamless Experience

Google is introducing Circle to Search, a revolutionary feature that allows users to search directly on their Android phone screens without the need to switch apps. With a simple gesture – whether it's circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping – users can select images, text, or videos effortlessly. This feature is designed to cater to the natural flow of your actions, ensuring that when curiosity strikes, you can find information right where you are.

Imagine you're engrossed in texting friends, scrolling through social media, or watching a video when something catches your eye. Instead of disrupting your flow by switching apps, Circle to Search empowers you to search instantly. This feature will be globally available on select premium Android smartphones, starting with the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the new Samsung Galaxy S24 series from January 31.

♦ AI-Powered Multisearch: Elevating Exploration

In 2022, Google introduced multisearch in Lens, enabling users to search multimodally with both images and text. Building on this foundation, recent breakthroughs in generative AI have taken multisearch to new heights. Now, when you point your camera, upload a photo, or take a screenshot and ask a question using the Google app, the multisearch experience delivers AI-powered insights beyond visual matches.

This enhanced multisearch capability is perfect for more complex and nuanced questions about the world around you. For example, if you stumble upon an unfamiliar board game at a yard sale, take a picture, ask, "How do you play this?" and receive an AI-powered overview that compiles the most relevant information from the web. Quickly discover the game's name, rules, and even dive deeper with supporting links.

The AI-powered overviews on multisearch results are launching this week in English in the U.S., available to everyone without enrollment in Search Labs. Users outside the U.S. who opted into Search Generative Experience (SGE) can preview this experience in the Google app. Access to AI-powered overviews on multisearch results will also be available within Circle to Search.

♦ Bold Experiments with Generative AI

This launch of AI-powered insights for multisearch is a culmination of extensive testing initiated last year through the Search Generative Experience in Search Labs. Google remains committed to bold experimentation with generative AI, continuously seeking ways to make Search more helpful and intuitive. While Search Labs serves as a testbed for early adopters, the goal is to democratize these innovations, introducing them broadly to enhance the search experience for all users.

Today's updates represent just the beginning of a journey to unlock the full potential of generative AI in Search. To explore the latest capabilities, users are encouraged to enroll in Search Labs and opt into the SGE experiment, becoming part of Google's ongoing efforts to reimagine the future of Search. As we move forward, expect more groundbreaking features that make searching more natural, intuitive, and indispensable in our daily lives.