Google launches AI search with product cards and recommendations

Google has officially lifted the restriction on using AI Mode in search. Previously, access to the feature was limited – by invitation only through the Google Labs program. Now, however, anyone in the U.S. can try AI search with advanced features ranging from personalized recommendations to detailed information about products and places.

Any user in the U.S. can try AI search with advanced features ranging from personalized recommendations to detailed information about products and places.

What is AI Mode and how is it different from regular search?

AI Mode is a search mode that utilizes Google’s generative technologies. Instead of standard links, users get a structured answer, complete with explanations, interactive cards, and the ability to ask follow-up questions.

For example, you might ask, “What should I take with me on a trip to Altai in the spring?” – and AI Mode will suggest a list of things to bring, links to useful resources, weather, and items available nearby.

New features: place and product cards, shopping and recommendations

• Maps of places with ratings, opening hours and reviews (restaurants, salons, stores, etc.)
• Shopping Maps with real-time prices, promotions, photos, in-store availability and shipping
• Selections by interest, such as: “Recommend books similar to these” or “Where to buy mid-century vintage furniture”
• The ability to immediately get directions or call the right place

These features are powered by Shopping Graph -Google’s shopping database with more than 45 billion product offerings that are updated more than 2 billion times per hour. This ensures that the data is up to date for any query.

New on desktop: pick up where you left off

The desktop version of AI Mode now has a sidebar where you can view previous queries and continue a dialog with the AI. This is handy for those who keep coming back to the same project or topic, whether it’s planning a trip, renovating a home, or picking out gifts.

Each topic saves the answers AI Mode has already given you, so you can ask additional questions right in this interface.

AI Mode will appear right in Google search

In the coming weeks, a small portion of users in the U.S. will see a tab AI Mode right in the Google Search interface – without having to go into Labs. This is a test run, and feedback from users will help determine how the feature develops further.

Google recommends using the official mobile app on Android or iOS for the best experience (including support for multimodal queries – with pictures and voice).

Competition with ChatGPT has already begun

The AI Mode expansion comes on the heels of the launch of a similar feature in ChatGPT, where users can also search for products and get personalized recommendations. The main difference is that OpenAI has this feature immediately available to everyone for free.

Google is clearly accelerating the development of AI Mode to keep up in the race of smart assistants for everyday tasks.

The story Google launches AI search with product cards and recommendations was first published on ITZine.ru.