Google AI search results already receive ads

Google just rolled out AI summaries in search results – and now they’re getting ads. In an update released Tuesday, Google said it will soon begin testing search and shopping ads in AI previews for users in the United States.

In the example shared by Google, the search engine’s AI preview lists an answer to the question: “How do I get wrinkles out of clothes?” » Below the AI-generated suggestions, there’s a new “Sponsored” section with a carousel showing anti-wrinkle spray that you can buy at places like Walmart and Instacart.

Google says it will show ads in AI previews when “they are relevant to both the query and the information in the AI ​​preview.” Advertisers who already run certain campaigns through Google will automatically become eligible to appear in AI previews. “As we move forward, we will continue to test and learn new formats, obtaining feedback from advertisers and the industry,” Google writes.

There are no details on exactly when Google will start testing ads in AI previews, but that kind of defeats the purpose of using AI to get a quick summary of what you’re looking for. If anything, it seems like it will only clutter that experience even more.