Google’s Search Live AI feature launches for all users

Google’s Search Live feature was originally part of Google Search Labs, but it is now being released to all users in the United States. This can be used on both Android and Apple devices. It is an AI-powered search feature based on questions that the user asks, along with pictures or videos that they take. Essentially, the user can have a certain image in the frame while using their camera, they can use the Search Live feature to ask questions about it, and Google will consult the question and the feed from the camera to provide them with comprehensive answers in real time.

In some ways, this is an evolution of voice search, which is something people have been doing for a long time. Voice search significantly changed the way that people approached searches, often using Alexa devices, Google Nest devices, or built-in phone features like Siri. Many people would also run voice searches on Google itself, directly in the browser or app. This new development adds the camera feed and AI integration, expanding the ways that people can use this feature.

Part of the research process

For instance, users may turn on the camera and have a video feed of the room ahead of them. Search Live could be used to identify various products or objects that are visible in the frame. The user can then ask more questions about those items and have a conversation with the AI-powered search feature to learn more.

For many users, this will be the beginning of the research process. Say that someone has a broken appliance, such as a furnace. They could use the Search Live feature to examine the inside of their furnace, identifying various parts, such as a pressure switch or a flame sensor. This could help them determine what products they need to repair the furnace, and they can then turn to Google search to locate those products and make a purchase.

As such, it will still be very important for companies that are selling these products to have the proper keywords and other information on their site. The user’s end goal is still to find the items that they need and order them, just as it would have been before, but the Search Live feature can help them be a bit more accurate when determining what they actually need and where to buy it.

Future developments

It will be interesting to see how this tool develops, how often people use it and if it changes the way that people address keywords and other aspects of the traditional search process. Voice search initially led to longer and more complex keyword strings, for instance. Will Search Live have a similar impact? We keep our eye on all these types of developments here at Content Customs, so get in touch with us today if you have any further questions about your content and search engine optimization needs.