In an unexpected turn of events, Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), once heralded as a revolutionary generative AI feature set to disrupt search engine result pages (SERPs), is notably shrinking its footprint.

SGE, released as an experimental feature in Google Labs, is intended to transform how users engage with search. Generative AI responses appeared in mobile and desktop search results.

Google rolled out SGE with much fanfare, promoting it as the future of AI-assisted search—using generative AI to offer personalized and nuanced answers to search queries.

SGE Responses Continue To Shrink In Google Search Results

The initial reception was largely positive, with many tech pundits singing its praises. However, the diminished presence of SGE in SERPs over the past few weeks is raising eyebrows.

Several SEO professionals have corroborated the reduced SGE component frequency in search results.

Why this retraction? Some industry experts speculate it could be due to various factors.

First, there’s the question of accuracy. While SGE has been adept at generating responses, critics argue that the quality of these automated answers may have missed the mark.

There’s also the issue of public perception. Users might find the AI-generated results less trustworthy or nuanced than human-crafted responses.

However, Google has remained tight-lipped, offering no formal explanation for the curtailed presence of SGE in its SERPs.

The generative AI feature is available in Google Labs until December 2023 for users in the United States and until February 2024 for users in India.

SGE Responses Continue To Shrink In Google Search ResultsScreenshot from Google, October 2023

What makes this especially perplexing is the immense resources Google has invested in generative AI features like SGE, not just financially but also in data and research.

While it’s too early to say farewell to SGE, its diminished visibility is a development that warrants further monitoring.

Given the high stakes of AI in the search engine industry, this retraction may signify a reassessment on Google’s part, which could have ripple effects across the AI and search landscapes.

Fortunately, for SEO professionals, a compacted version of SGE in SERPs means that the generative AI feature is less likely to impact organic search traffic dramatically.


Featured image: NiP STUDIO/Shutterstock





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By Rose Milev

I always want to learn something new. SEO is my passion.

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