Google's artificial intelligence search summaries now include ads.

Google is implementing ads in AI Summaries, meaning that products will now start being displayed in some of the AI-generated summaries in its search engine. For example, if you search for methods to remove a grass stain from your pants, Google's AI-generated response will offer some tips and product recommendations that could help eliminate the stain. These products will be shown under a "sponsored" header, and a Google spokesperson, Craig Ewer, indicated that they will only appear if the query has a "commercial intent."

The company has been testing ads in AI Summaries since May but has decided to move forward with a full rollout as it believes it helps people "quickly connect with relevant businesses, products, and services to take the next step at the moment they need it." For now, ads will only be available in AI Summaries in the United States and on mobile devices. Similarly, Microsoft includes ads in its Copilot chatbot and has recently modified how these are displayed in responses.

Additionally, Google is making some changes to the format of AI Summaries. After a test conducted in August, the company will now display the cited web pages more prominently on the right side of the summary, as they have observed that this "has increased traffic to supporting sites compared to the previous layout." They are also launching AI-organized search pages, a feature that presents a personalized results page with relevant information instead of just a list of links. This feature is currently available only on mobile devices in the United States for searches related to recipes and meal ideas.