Google has opened access to the Search Labs test program that allows users to test the upcoming update of the search engine with the most surprising change is the Search Generative Experience or SGE.
To be clear, Search Labs is not technically open to the public because you have to join a waitlist first. If you have already signed up, be sure to check your email account for a invitation from Google as they now operate. Don’t worry if you didn’t get in because there are still places left on the desktop and mobile waitlist.
To join the desktop, you must first install Google Chrome on your computer. From there, go to Find the Labs website, select Join Waitlist, and wait for the invitation to arrive. On mobile devices, launch the Google app. You should see a science beaker-esque icon in the upper left corner of the screen. As before, select Join Waitlist then wait for the invitation. Search Labs is available on iOS and Android so nothing is left out. Install the latest app update if you don’t see the icon.
Limited time only
Unless you are a Google One Premium subscriber, it may take a while before you receive an invitation. A a recent report from 9To5Google says Premium subscribers get “priority access” to Search Labs, though “it’s not immediate.” “Access areas are limited” for now, but more will open “in the coming weeks.
But if you get the invitation, act fast. SGE and other Search Labs experiments can be available for a limited time only. Don’t know how long, so we asked Google for more information. This story will be updated when we hear back.
There has been a fair amount of hype surrounding SGE since it was first unveiled during I/O 2023. The technology significantly improves Google Search to provide long, detailed answers to questions by taking context into account. It can be perfectly fine change how people use search engines.
Word of advice
For the lucky few who get early access to SGE, Google recommends starting with simple terms so you get used to how AI works. Once you get a feel for it, try entering more specific questions. One of the highlighted use cases of SGE is helping people with their shopping. AI can generate a detailed list of features, reviews, price points, and even link to the product itself.
In addition to Google’s advice, we have our own because we use many generative AI models from Bing on Brave Summarizer. One thing we have learned is generative AIs can hallucinate, meaning they have completely false information without any awareness of reality. Don’t always believe what you read. And remember what you enter as generative AIs store the information you type. In fact, some big tech corporations, such as Samsung, banned their employees from using ChatGPT after some sensitive information was leaked.
Google I/O 2023 revealed more of the tech giant’s AI tools. Be sure to check TechRadar’s coverage of the event as it happened.
