Search Results for: Google

Google Launches the Digital Growth Initiative

Google has launched the Digital Growth Initiative, offering three free support programmes focused on digital marketing training, advertising credits, and access to microloans. Eligible online platforms such as some e-commerce websites, travel and booking sites, and app developers can apply to join the program. Ads Academy for Digital Skills Training   An Ads Academy was launched in collaboration with Upskill which is adjunct to the initiative. This is a bootcamp-style marketing training program focusing on digital advertising and marketing skills. The training covers:   Google mentions that the program has custom mentorship for:   Participants will be mentored by industry professionals and learn from real-life case studies. The training is structured as workshops to reinforce the hands-on application of primary concepts using Google Ads credits.   Ad Credits Programme to Boost Online Visibility   Google states that the newly launched Ad Credits Programme is intended to support digital innovation within South Africa. The program helps businesses reach specific target audiences, expand to new business regions, and sharpen their competitive edge.   These credits can be used on advertising formats like Search Text Ads and Universal App Campaigns. The Ad Credits Program with Google will free advertising funds and allow budget funds to reserve other critical business […]

Google Advises Caution With AI-Generated Answers

Google’s Gary Illyes cautioned about the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), affirming the importance of checking authoritative sources before accepting any answers from an LLM. His answer was given in the context of a question, but curiously, he didn’t publish what that question was. LLM Answer Engines Based on what Gary Illyes said, it’s clear that the context of his recommendation is the use of AI for answering queries. The statement comes in the wake of OpenAI’s announcement of SearchGPT that they are testing an AI Search Engine prototype. It may be that his statement is not related to that announcement and is just a coincidence. Gary first explained how LLMs craft answers to questions and mentions how a technique called “grounding” can improve the accuracy of the AI-generated answers but that it’s not 100% perfect, that mistakes still slip through. Grounding is a way to connect a database of facts, knowledge, and web pages to an LLM. The goal is to ground the AI-generated answers to authoritative facts. This is what Gary posted: “Based on their training data LLMs find the most suitable words, phrases, and sentences that align with a prompt’s context and meaning. This allows them to generate […]

OpenAI set to Unveil AI-driven challenger to Google Search

Google’s long-standing supremacy in the search engine arena may soon be challenged as OpenAI, boosted by its partnership with Microsoft, is reportedly stepping up to launch its own AI-driven search product. According to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, OpenAI is scheduled to unveil its AI-powered search tool on Monday. The introduction of this product coincides closely with the timing of Google’s annual I/O conference, which starts on Tuesday and is anticipated to feature several AI-related announcements. While Google remains a titan in search, it too has been adapting to incorporate AI more deeply into its functionalities. Google began trialing AI-powered search summaries in the US over a year ago and expanded testing to selected, signed-in UK users last month. The potential entry of OpenAI into the search engine market adds a new layer of competition not only for Google, but also for other entities like Perplexity. This week, Perplexity announced a partnership with SoundHound to enhance voice assistants for IoT devices with its AI-powered search capabilities. OpenAI, heavily supported by Microsoft, seems to be banking on the intersection of AI and search engine technology to carve out its niche. Microsoft previously integrated OpenAI’s AI capabilities into its Bing search […]

Google Eyes Paid AI Search Features, Explores Subscription Model; Report

Google is considering introducing premium features powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its search engine. The move would mark the first time a core Google product is behind a paywall. However, the free search experience with advertisements will still be available. The tech giant is looking at a variety of options, including incorporating AI-powered search features to its premium subscription services, which already provide access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. Google mainly relies on advertising for monetization. The company already offers various plans, such as the Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. However, these subscriptions currently do not enhance the search experience. The company’s main product, Google Search, has been free since its launch in the early 2000s. However, the tech giant might be exploring different means of monetization. The report added that Google’s traditional search engine would remain free of charge and that ads would continue to appear alongside search results even for subscribers.

Apple in talks with Google for using Gemini to bring generative AI features to iPhones

Apple and Google are actively negotiating the use of Gemini to power some of the generative AI features coming to iPhones this year, according to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurnman. The deal with Apple could be a game changer for Google’s Gemini chatbot, which has been embroiled in a number of controversies in recent months. While Apple is already working on bringing a number of AI features to its upcoming iOS 18 operating system based on its own AI models, these enhancements are likely to focus on features that run on its devices rather than being delivered from the cloud, Gurnman reported. The partnership with Google could help deliver a range of generative AI features, such as generating images and writing essays based on a single text prompt. However, the latest round of negotiations also signals that Apple isn’t as far ahead in its AI efforts as many had speculated. Apple was reported to be testing its big language model – Ajax – and many employees had also been given access to a chatbot called Apple GPT. However, Gurnman, citing sources, notes that Apple’s AI technology remains inferior to tools from Google and other rivals. The report states that while […]

Google Integrates Social Media Posts Into Google Business Profiles

Google begins automatically surfacing social media posts on Google Business Profiles. Google has introduced a feature that automatically displays social media posts from platforms like Instagram and Facebook directly on Google Business Profiles (GBP). This update aims to give customers a more comprehensive view of a business’s online activity and engagement. According to a Google help page, businesses that have associated their social media links with their GBP may now find their social media posts automatically surface on their profiles. This feature is currently available for select regions and may not be accessible to all Business Profiles. Manage Your Social Media Links To take advantage of this new feature, businesses can manage which social media links are displayed to customers on their Google Business Profile. You can add one link from each platform: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), and YouTube. Google emphasizes the importance of following specific formats for social media links to ensure they function correctly within the Business Profile. For example, a Facebook link should follow the format “https://www.facebook.com/{username},” while an Instagram link should adhere to “https://www.instagram.com/{username}.” Adding, Editing, & Removing Social Media Links Adding, editing, or removing social media links is straightforward. Navigate […]

How Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is Reshaping SEO

As the search giant delves deeper into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), it is clear that SGE will have a profound impact on the future of SEO. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is an AI-powered feature that aims to provide users with more comprehensive and informative search results. By leveraging the power of generative AI, SGE generates cohesive text summaries of information gathered from various sources, eliminating the need for users to click on individual search results. This new approach streamlines the search process and offers users a more efficient way to find answers to their queries. Understanding the Mechanics of SGE When a user enters a query into Google’s search bar, SGE utilizes generative AI technology to analyze and summarize information from multiple web pages. The generated text, known as the AI Snapshot, is displayed prominently at the top of the search results page (SERP). Alongside the AI Snapshot, users can also view the selected source pages, providing them with additional context and the ability to explore further if desired. It’s important to note that SGE is still in its early stages of development and is currently available only to a limited number of users in the United […]

Google Planning to Add AI Image Generator Directly to Bard

Following the Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Slides, Google Bard is set to get its own AI image generator. As shared by Dylan Roussel on X/Twitter, an unreleased Google Bard changelog — dated for January 18 — reveals how you can “Create images with Bard.”  Like other tools, you “simply enter a few words to bring your imagination to life” with the ability to download or “Generate more.” It should be powered by Google’s Imagen family of models. Back to the future? 👀 Here's what's coming next in Bard. . . tomorrow. Image generation with Bard will use Imagen, Google's Text-to-Image "diffusion technology."https://t.co/FNeiCsS2ar Important: The content of this changelog may still be changed until officially released. pic.twitter.com/9yRNjHNrLq — Dylan Roussel (@evowizz) January 17, 2024 In December, Google announced Imagen 2 with “significantly improved image quality” (as seen below). This ability to create “high-quality, photorealistic, high-resolution, aesthetically pleasing images” is aimed at enterprise use cases like logo generation or creating images with text overlays. Google Search introduced a similar image generator in October. If you’re enrolled in SGE, you can find it at google.com/search/images. “Draw” or “sketch” prompts can be directly entered into the Search field. SGE generates four images at a time, while there are daily limits on […]

How to Use Google Bard to Plan Your 2024 Fitness Goals

Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply become more active, Google Bard can be a valuable tool to help you achieve your goals. With its ability to generate personalized fitness goals, provide real-time feedback, and even track your progress, Google Bard can be a powerful ally in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Setting SMART Goals Before you start using Google Bard to plan your fitness goals, it’s important to set some SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, Before diving into the world of fitness planning, it’s crucial to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These goals serve as the roadmap for your fitness journey, ensuring you stay focused and motivated. Using Google Bard to Plan Your Fitness Goals Once you’ve set your goals, you can use Google Bard to help you plan your workouts. Google Bard can generate personalized workout plans based on your fitness level, goals, and schedule. It can also provide you with real-time feedback on your form and offer suggestions for improvement. To use Google Bard to plan your workouts, simply type “fitness plan” into the Google Assistant or Google Search bar. You can then […]

Google Chrome Restricts Cookies in First Step Towards Elimination

Google Chrome has begun limiting third-party cookies for some users of its Chrome web browser, a first step towards eventually abandoning the files that have raised privacy concerns. Google, which announced in 2020 that it planned to get rid of cookies, said fully eliminating third-party cookies could only happen with the approval of Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority, which is looking at the impact on other businesses. “As per previously announced plans, Google Chrome is restricting third-party cookies by default for one percent of Chrome users to facilitate testing, and then ramping up to 100 percent of users from Q3 2024,” the company said in a blog posting that cited a Thursday start date. Cookies, small files which are used to target advertising by tracking web navigation, have recently been subject to greater regulation, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation introduced in 2016 as well as regulations in California. Third-party cookies are those placed by visited sites and not by the browser itself. Google announced in January 2020 that it would begin eliminating third-party cookies within two years, but the start has been delayed several times. Google has been working on an alternative system for Chrome that instead of […]