Google announced Thursday that it’s launching a new way to explore the web with its AI-powered, conversational search experience. Now, when using the AI feature on Chrome desktop, clicking a link will open the webpage side-by-side with the AI feature.
The goal is to make it easier to explore related sites, compare details and ask follow-up questions while maintaining the context of your search, the tech giant says.
For example, if you want to buy a new coffee maker, you can describe what you’re looking for in the AI mode and get a range of options. Once you click on one, you can open the retailer’s website alongside the AI mode and ask specific questions like “how easy is it to clean?” The AI will then use context from the page and from across the web to answer your questions.
“Our early testers loved the fact that they didn’t have to keep switching tabs to get help with a comprehensive article or long video,” Google explained in a blog post. “And they found that searching and web side-by-side helped them stay focused on their tasks while exploring useful websites.”
Google also announced a new way to search the Chrome tabs you’re already looking at.
On Chrome desktop or mobile, you can tap the new plus menu in the search box on the New Tab page or in AI Mode, then select recent tabs to include in your search. This means you can mix and match multiple tabs, images or files and bring that context to your searches in AI mode.
For example, if you’re researching local hiking trails and you already have a few tabs open, you can add them to your search and request similar trails in a different location. Alternatively, if you’re studying for a statistics exam, you can bring in content from open tabs, class notes, lecture slides, and more to ask for examples to illustrate a concept.
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The new AI Mode updates are now available in the U.S. Google plans to expand them to additional regions in the future.
