Google shows off Circle to Search and new AI-multisearch experience

Google launched new search features, including Circle to Search and a new AI-powered multisearch experience within Google. Google is “introducing two major updates that bring this vision closer to reality,” with these new features, Google said.

Circle to Search

Circle to Search is a new way to search for anything on your Android phone without switching apps. You can use a gesture to select a section of the image that you are interested in. You can do this by circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping the portion of the image.

Here is a video of how it works:

This is coming to select premium Android smartphones, including Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and the new Samsung Galaxy S24 series, on January 31st.

AI-multisearch experience

Google also launched AI-powered overviews for multisearch in Google Lens. With this, you can either take a photo, upload a photo, or upload a screenshot, then you ask a question about it in the search box, and Google will use its generative AI to give you an answer.

Here is an example of how this works:

This is launching for everyone in the US, to try it, use the Lens camera icon in the Google app for Android & iOS. You do not need to opt into Google Search Labs to use it as you do with SGE.

Why we care. As Google continues to adapt search and change the user experience, this may impact how searchers discover and interact with your search results. It is important to stay on top of these changes to Google Search so you can understand how to best handle these changes to your website content and features.