Google tests Gemini-powered Web Guide to organize search results

Google is testing a new “Web Guide” feature that uses its Gemini AI to organize search results into curated sections with grouped web links. The experimental feature aims to blend AI-powered organization with traditional search results, offering users a more structured way to find information while maintaining direct access to source websites.

What you should know: Web Guide represents Google’s latest attempt to integrate AI into search without completely replacing traditional blue links.
• Unlike AI Overviews that dominate the top of search pages, Web Guide maintains the familiar search structure while using AI to organize results into helpful categories.
• The feature uses AI Mode’s “fan-out technique,” presenting results for related queries alongside the main search query.
• Users can access Web Guide through Search Labs and switch between the AI-curated version and standard web results using a toggle at the top of the page.

How it works: Gemini AI organizes search results into themed sections with brief introductions and grouped links.
• In Google’s demo for “how to solo travel in Japan,” results were divided into sections for comprehensive guides, personal traveler experiences, and safety recommendations.
• Each section displays two links initially, with users able to expand to see more by clicking “More.”
• The AI-generated introductions provide enough information to help users understand the content without giving away all details, encouraging clicks to source websites.

The big picture: Web Guide appears designed to address concerns about AI Overviews reducing website traffic while still leveraging AI capabilities.
• A recent study found that AI Overviews significantly reduced the number of users clicking on links to source websites.
• Reddit threads continue to dominate results, reflecting Google’s $60 million annual licensing deal with the platform.
• Google plans to eventually bring Web Guide to the main “All” results tab, potentially replacing traditional search algorithms.

Why this matters: The feature represents Google’s ongoing challenge to balance AI innovation with maintaining the web ecosystem that depends on search traffic.
• Web Guide allows websites to receive direct traffic from search results, addressing publisher concerns about AI-generated summaries reducing site visits.
• The gradual rollout through Search Labs suggests Google is testing user adoption before broader implementation.