Google Launches “Search Live” In the US; UK Must Wait

Google has officially unveiled Search Live, a bold evolution in its search experience that merges generative AI with live conversation. It looks to transform the way users interact with the search engine, but while this new interface is being rolled out across select markets, users in the UK will have to wait for now.

Described by Google as “a new way to search with your voice”, Search Live introduces a feature dubbed Talk to Search. This enables users to speak naturally to the Google app and receive live, voice-generated responses from Google’s AI. Not just a single voice search, but a live back-and-forth exchange where users can ask follow-up questions, refine searches, and get more nuanced answers. Google’s official blog lays out its vision of a deeper, interactive search experience.

According to Search Engine Land, the feature is rolling out on mobile within the Google app for both Android and iOS, and it currently supports English in the United States. Users must have opted into Search Labs, Google’s experimental playground for new features. The feature is not yet available in the UK, and Google has not offered a clear timeline for expansion.

This move puts Google in more direct competition with generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI. But the question is: is this a true harbinger of what’s to come, or another failed Google experiment? Let’s be honest, Google has a well-documented history of launching shiny new features, only to quietly abandon them later. So, scepticism is warranted.

However, Search Live has the scent of something Google wants to get right. It’s fast, responsive, and surprisingly good at conversational depth, according to a hands-on report from TechRadar. The reporter recounts an experience debating books with the AI, noting that the conversation felt fluid and intelligent. If Google is serious this time, and if Search Live truly becomes a cornerstone of the search experience, then it will have sweeping effects on informational searches.

If Google Search becomes more conversational, then traditional SEO, long ruled by keywords, rankings and featured snippets, faces a seismic shift. With users engaging in back-and-forth chats rather than one-shot queries, visibility won’t depend solely on who ranks first anymore. It’ll hinge on whether your product data, reviews and content are robust enough to be surfaced in real-time conversations. For now, the full impact of this pivot towards conversational searches on the world of eCommerce remains to be seen.

As we mentioned in our blog about AI overviews, the best way to prepare for what could happen is still the same as it’s always been: good, quality SEO that doesn’t cut corners. Read our guides to technical SEO and digital marketing simplified to brush up on what you need to do.

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