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Google announced that its Search will experiment with audio overviews for specific search queries on Friday. The company introduced Google Audio Overviews feature to NotebookLM as its AI-based note-taking and research assistant.
The tech giant says Audio Overviews will use its latest Gemini models to give users another way to absorb and understand information. These Google Audio Overviews are meant to provide value beyond traditional reading. They offer listeners a hands-free way to engage with Google’s vast informational resources.
Google Audio Overviews Now Available in Google Search
As explained in a blog post, “An audio overview can help you get a lay of the land.’ Moving forward, these Audio Overviews offer a convenient, hands-free way to absorb information whether you’re multitasking or prefer an audio experience.”
Additionally, the feature is now available in Labs, Google’s experimental testing program. Google enabled users to see the option to generate a short Google Audio Overviews. This acts on the condition that Google detects it could enhance their query. In the name vein, the tool uses context awareness to decide when to trigger the overview.
Subject to the availability of these Google Audio Overviews, users will see a simple audio player on screen. This player will have play/pause controls, a volume toggle, and speed adjustment options. The maker intends to make it offer a user-friendly interface that caters to various listening preferences.
Google will also release links within the audio player. These links can identify the sources used to generate the summary. Consequently, they ensure transparency and trust. After you have listened, you can click these links to learn more. Similarly, this will allow you to explore deeper content without re-inserting your query.
In addition, users can provide feedback directly. You can give a thumbs up or down on each Audio Overview and the experiment within the Labs. This design helps to improve Google Audio Overviews based on real-world interaction.
Hands-Free Summaries Powered by Gemini Models
In NotebookLM, Audio Overviews have already offered users the ability to generate podcast-style content using uploaded documents. These documents may include course readings, research papers, or legal briefs. It’s a personalized way of creating study or review material.
You should recall that Google also rolled out Audio Overviews to Gemini in March. The tech giant made the Audio Overviews part of a broader push to support all learning strategies. Some users prefer visual summaries, while others benefit more from hearing the material.
Google Audio Overviews in Search builds upon the existing AI Overviews. These AI-generated summaries have already become common for many Google Search queries. The audio version makes them even more accessible, especially for auditory learners.
It’s worth noting that this announcement arrives just days after a Wall Street Journal report. The report revealed that Google’s AI Overviews and other AI-powered tools reduce traffic to news publishers. This development questioned the balance between user convenience and publishers’ intended aim for visibility.
Notwithstanding, Google appears to be investing heavily in making information more digestible and accessible. In truth, this Google Audio Overviews is another valid example meant to reshape how search results are consumed in the AI era.
