Published on: March 26, 2025 / update from: March 26, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Google Ai Overviews-Google Search changes: “Google Google for you”-that is behind the new AI overviews-Image: Xpert.digital
Transformation of the search: Google tests AI overviews in Germany
Google brings AI overviews to Germany: The transformation of the AI search
Google is currently testing its AI overviews, known as “AI Overviews”, in Germany and other European countries. This new function marks a significant change in the way search engines present information. The AI generated answers appear prominently at the top of the search results and summarize information from various sources before the classic blue links are displayed. After successful introduction to the USA and more than 100 other countries, this technology now also reaches the German market.
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What are Google Ai Overviews?
Definition and functionality
AI overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear as a direct answer to search queries at the top of Google search results. They use generative AI to extract information from various websites, analyze and present the user in a compact form. The technology understands the intention behind the search query and collects relevant content from various sources. By position at the beginning of the search results, the AI overviews reach maximum visibility and are intended to help users get the desired information more quickly. As Google Search boss Liz Reid puts it: “Google takes over the googling for you”.
From SGE to AI Overviews: The history of development
The AI overviews were originally known under the name “Search Generative Experience” (SGE). This name was used when Google presented the function for the first time in May 2023 and made it accessible in a test phase. After a successful test phase and the introduction to the US market in May 2024, the renamed to “Ai Overviews” was renamed. In Germany, the AI overviews are introduced under the name “Overview with AI”, as screenshots of users on social media show. The gradual outlet of the function shows Google's careful approach in the integration of this new technology in various markets.
Technology behind the AI overviews
The technological basis of the AI Overviews is Google's AI model Gemini, which has been specially optimized for the search for the website. This AI model is multimodal and can understand and process texts, images and other media formats. Gemini combines advanced skills such as multi -stage conclusions and planning with Google's proven search systems. In newer versions, Google no longer only accesses web content, but also uses its own knowledge graph - a huge database with facts and information on a wide variety of topics. This combination enables Google to provide more comprehensive and precise answers to complex search queries.
Introduction in Germany and Europe
Current status of the tests in Germany
Google has officially confirmed that the AI Overviews are currently being tested in Germany at “A small percentage of traffic”. The first signs of these tests were known by social media posts in which users shared screenshots of the new function. Search engine expert Olaf Kopp reported in a LinkedIn contribution of his first encounter with the AI overviews in Germany and commented: “First Time I See AiOverViews in Germany. Welcome to Germany aio!”. So far, Google has not mentioned a specific date for the official start of the function in Germany. However, the gradual introduction indicates an early complete implementation.
Full introduction to Switzerland
While it is still being tested in Germany, the introduction in Switzerland has already been officially carried out. The AI overview was launched in the night from March 25 to March 26, 2025 and will be rolled out to the users in Switzerland for a day or two. In Switzerland, the function in German, French, Italian and English is available, which reflects the country's multilingualism. The Swiss introduction can be seen as an indicator of how complete implementation could also work in Germany. In addition to Germany and Switzerland, AI overviews are also tested in other European countries such as Italy and Spain.
Requirements for use
Two prerequisites are absolutely necessary in Switzerland to use the AI overviews. First, users must be logged in with a Google account, and secondly, a minimum age of 18 years applies. The age restriction was introduced because the AI does not always provide 100 percent correct answers and Google wants to protect young people from potentially false information. Interestingly, Google plans to remove these restrictions in the United States - there should also be access to the AI overviews that will not be logged in. It is currently still unclear whether these loosening are also planned for the German market.
Use and functionality
How the AI overviews change search behavior
The AI overviews are fundamentally changing how users search for information on the Internet. Instead of navigating through several websites, users receive a compact answer to their question directly, supplemented by further links. This new type of information presentation should show its strength, especially for complex questions, since the AI understands the context better than the classic keyword search. However, the AI overviews do not appear on every search query-Google only activates them if they offer real added value for the user. With simple questions like "How will the weather be?" For example, the function is not triggered.
Restrictions and limits of AI generation
Despite all progress, AI technology is not infallible. During the test phase, there was embarrassing breakdowns, such as the recommendation to "mix a little glue into the pizza sauce" or "eat a small stone every day". These mistakes were made because the KI satirical sources misunderstanding as serious guides. In response to this, Google increased the hurdles for the display of AI overviews. With sensitive topics such as health issues or current messages, no AI overviews are displayed to avoid misinformation. In its support documents, Google expressly points out that “AI overviews can and will make mistakes”.
Feedback mechanisms for users
Google has implemented an extensive feedback system to continuously improve the quality of the AI Overviews. At the bottom of each AI overview, users find thumb and thumbs-down symbols with which they can evaluate the usefulness of the answer. If a positive assessment, users can share more information via “Share More Feedback”. In the case of negative experiences, the “Report A Problem” option is available, where users can report specific problems such as inaccuracies or bias. These feedback helps Google to optimize the AI models and improve the quality of the generated answers. In addition, users can also give feedback via the three-point menu in the upper right corner.
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Effects on website operators and SEO
Potential traffic changes
The introduction of the AI Overviews arouses great concerns about possible traffic losses among website operators and content manufacturers. Since the AI-generated answers appear directly in the search results, users could have less incentive to click on the actual websites. Even the earlier “featured snippets” led to traffic burglars, and AI overviews could increase this development. In SEO circles there is already afraid that “AI overviews will be a disaster for traffic”. Google, on the other hand, claims that the links contained in the AI overviews could even generate more clicks than if the website had appeared as a conventional website. These opposing assessments show uncertainty about the long -term effects of the new technology.
Adaptation strategies for content manufacturers
For website operators and content manufacturers, it will be crucial to adapt their strategies to the new reality. Recommendations include the optimization of content for conversational search queries and a stronger focus on user -centered approaches. The integration of user-generated content can also help to be better taken into account in the AI overviews. Although the AI overviews in Germany have not yet fully rolled out, website operators can already take preparatory measures. This includes the revision of existing content in order to optimize them for the AI evaluation and ensure that they are structured, precise and comprehensive. A content strategy that is optimized for both human readers and AI systems will become more important in the future.
AI overviews and the web ecosystem: challenge or departure?
The introduction of the AI Overviews not only represents challenges, but also offers new opportunities for digital players. On the one hand, Google becomes an even larger “black box” through the AI overviews, since the criteria for the selection and compilation of the information are less transparent. On the other hand, the new technology opens up opportunities for innovative content formats and business models. Website operators who offer high quality, profound and unique content in particular could benefit from the new situation. Change in search engine marketing requires flexible adaptation and continuous learning. In the long term, the development could change the entire web ecosystem and create new value chains.
Expected developments in Germany
Although Google has not yet announced an official starting date for the complete introduction of the AI Overviews in Germany, the current tests indicate an early extensive implementation. The experiences from Switzerland and other markets will probably be included in the German rolling. It can be expected that Google will continuously expand and improve the functions of the AI overviews, as is already the case in the USA. With the upgrade to Gemini 2.0, the AI should be able to answer even more complex questions, for example when programming or in mathematics, better and faster. The test phase in Germany serves to adapt the technology to the specific requirements and special features of the German market.
AI search as a new standard?
The introduction of the AI Overviews is part of a larger trend for integrating AI in search engines and could become the new standard in the long term. Google sees the AI function as a necessary adaptation to changed search habits and in response to competitors such as chatt. The development represents a paradigm shift in which search engines no longer only provide links to information, but rather prepare and present the information itself. Whether this approach will prevail depends on how well the technology finds the balance between user-friendliness and the support of the web ecosystem. The acceptance of the users will play a crucial role in this - the first reports indicate that the AI overviews are not inconspicuously received.
A paradigm shift for Google search
The introduction of Google Ai Overviews in Germany marks an important turning point in the development of search engines. The integration of generative AI into the search results changes fundamentally how information is found, presented and consumed on the Internet. For users, the new technology offers potential advantages through faster access to information and a simplified search experience. Website operators, content manufacturers and SEO experts, on the other hand, face the challenge of adapting their strategies and finding new ways in order to be successful in this changed environment. The complete impact of the AI overviews on the digital ecosystem will only be shown over time, but one thing is already clear: the way we are looking for information on the Internet will never be the same again.
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