Google has commenced testing a new feature called “Audio Overviews” for select search queries, offering users AI-generated spoken summaries of information, the company announced in a blog post.
This experimental feature, now accessible through Google’s “Search Labs” program, is designed to enhance information accessibility by presenting it in an audio format. This is particularly beneficial for users who prefer listening over reading or who are engaged in multitasking.
Powered by Google’s latest Gemini models, Audio Overviews provide concise, spoken versions of search results, summarizing key points through a simple audio player interface. This interface includes standard play/pause controls, volume adjustment, and playback speed options. Crucially, these summaries are accompanied by visible links that reference the original sources of the information discussed, allowing users to delve deeper into topics if they choose.
“An audio overview can help you get a lay of the land, offering a convenient, hands-free way to absorb information whether you’re multitasking or simply prefer an audio experience,” the company stated.
The feature is currently limited to specific queries where Google’s algorithms determine that an audio response would be helpful. Users also have the ability to rate the overviews with a thumbs up or down, providing valuable feedback to help refine the tool.
Audio Overviews were initially introduced in NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, where they enabled users to generate podcast-style summaries from documents such as academic readings or legal briefs. This same functionality was subsequently extended to the Gemini platform in March.
This latest move appears to be an expansion of Google’s broader strategic push towards integrating generative AI into its search capabilities. Audio Overviews build upon the previously launched “AI Overviews,” which provide text-based summaries for complex queries.
However, the timing of this announcement is noteworthy, as it comes just days after a report by The Wall Street Journal highlighted growing concerns among news publishers. These concerns stem from declining web traffic, which is attributed to Google’s increasing reliance on AI-generated answers that reduce the need for users to click through to original source websites.
While Google maintains that its AI tools are intended to complement traditional search methods, industry experts have cautioned about the potential implications for journalism and the digital publishing landscape.
