Microsoft is rolling out a new split interface for Bing. The modified view will have two search results, presumably to counter Google’s “AI Overviews”.
Bing interface has AI-generated information mixed with traditional search results
Google recently rolled out “AI Overviews”. It is essentially a summarized information snippet about search queries compiled by Google’s Gemini Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI).
Google’s AI Overviews has received mixed reviews, and several internet users hunted for ways to avoid the same. Now Microsoft has tweaked its Bing search engine to infuse AI-generated snippets about search queries.
Microsoft adds generative search to its Bing engine
Looks a lot like Google’s AI Overviews, hopefully without some of the early unfortunate summarieshttps://t.co/K75keIqods— Rich Tehrani (@rtehrani) July 25, 2024
The new interface divides Bing search results into two sections, but both are intertwined. While Bing offers regular search results, populated by weblinks that take users outside Bing, there are AI-generated summaries interspersed in the results.
Bing’s new interface has results generated using OpenAI’s GPT-4 LLM (Large Language Model). Microsoft seems to be prioritizing AI-generated search results and summaries. However, the company claims this information won’t negatively impact traffic to websites and publisher revenue.
Hey @Google – take note of how Bing sends traffic to the websites they source their AI answers from. Much cleaner approach than what you’re doing right now. https://t.co/LApmD4QeaG
— Eric Enge (@stonetemple) July 25, 2024
Does Gen AI stem outgoing traffic from search engines?
Several internet and social media experts have claimed that AI stops users from leaving Google or Bing. Simply put, if search engines summarize answers to search queries, users don’t need to visit websites that contain the relevant information.
While several digital publications opposed Google’s AI Overviews, there might not be a similar backlash for Microsoft Bing’s new interface. This is because Microsoft appears to have adopted a much more transparent approach.
New Bing generative search experience (GSE) with AI layouts and content in Bing Search is being tested https://t.co/5wgcR6LkVP pic.twitter.com/vRyAilyoMf
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) July 25, 2024
Google attempted to serve AI-generated content to search queries noticeably that seemed to lack adequate links to sources or references. Microsoft claims Bing’s new AI section retains several clickable web links that lead to the source of the information.
Microsoft claimed, “Early data indicates that this experience maintains the number of website clicks and supports a healthy web ecosystem.” Strangely, the company’s examples of the new Bing interface reportedly suggest an overwhelming preference of AI for just the top search results. An older iteration offered at least three source links.
2024-07-26 15:08:54