Google shocks with statement: This is why search no longer wants to keep you – The end of Google search as we know it? – Image: Xpert.Digital
Google's Chief Science Officer causes industry uproar with a remarkable statement
Google Search chief: "There is no interest in keeping users on our site."
A remarkable statement from Google's leading search experts is currently causing a stir in the technology and media industries. The statement, taken from an interview with Pandu Nayak, Chief Scientist at Google Search, reflects a fundamental shift in Google's philosophy.
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Background of the statement
The controversial quote comes from an interview published in “Welt am Sonntag.” Pandu Nayak, who has worked at Google for over 19 years and serves as Vice President of Search, commented on the impact of new AI features on traditional search engine usage.
The context of this statement is crucial: Google is in the midst of a fundamental transformation of its search engine. The company is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into its search results, leading to a fundamental change in user interaction.
Google's new AI strategy
AI reviews and their impact
Google began using so-called “AI Overviews” in 2024, displaying AI-powered summaries directly in search results. According to CEO Sundar Pichai, this feature is now used by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. The technology provides concise answers to user queries without requiring them to click through to external websites.
The new AI mode
In 2025, Google introduced “AI Mode,” which takes things a step further. This feature allows users to “make longer and more complex search queries” and refine the results by asking follow-up questions. Liz Reid, head of Google’s Search organization, explains that AI Mode “scours the entire internet and goes much deeper than traditional search.”
Impact on publishers and website operators
Decline in website traffic
The introduction of AI functions is already having a measurable impact on website operators. Operators of online services that publish recipes or travel tips, for example, have complained about a drop in visitor numbers. This trend could intensify as AI-powered reviews become more widespread.
Google's justification
Pandu Nayak attempts to dispel these concerns by arguing: “We don’t believe that’s the case. Overall, users of AI-powered overviews search more frequently, are more satisfied with their results, and spend more time on the websites they visit when they click on links in AI-powered overviews.”
He further emphasizes: “We observe that when users click on these links, they spend more time on these pages. The quality of these clicks has therefore improved.” However, the Google manager fails to provide any concrete evidence or hard figures.
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The philosophy behind the statement
From search engine monopoly to answer engine
Google's statement, "We have no interest in keeping users on our site," reflects a fundamental shift in the company's philosophy. Traditionally, Google's business model focused on quickly guiding users to relevant information and then redirecting them to the appropriate websites.
The new strategy aims to make Google the ultimate “answer engine.” Instead of directing users to external websites, Google itself will provide the answers. This aligns with the observation that the search engine is evolving “from a search engine to an answer engine.”
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Commitment to the web ecosystem
Despite the controversial statement, Nayak emphasizes: “We remain committed to the web as a whole.” However, this statement only makes sense if one understands “web” as a synonym for “Google.” For publishers, on the other hand, the so-called “AI Armageddon,” as described by the Wall Street Journal, looms.
Competitive pressure and market position
Challenges posed by AI competition
Google's transformation isn't happening in a vacuum, but rather as a response to growing competitive pressure. AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity threaten Google's monopoly in internet search. CEO Sundar Pichai responded to this challenge by announcing that Google Search will undergo a "profound transformation" by 2025.
Microsoft's provocation
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had provoked Google by saying, "I want people to know that we made them dance." Pichai countered confidently: "I would love to do a direct comparison between Microsoft's own models and our models, at any time."
Technical innovations and future prospects
MUM and multimodal search
Google relies on its Multitask Unified Model (MUM), which the company claims is 1,000 times more powerful than BERT. This technology enables multimodal search queries that combine text, images, and videos.
Enhanced features for 2025
Google Search will soon be able to link users' personal emails and appointments to take "personal context" into account. It will also be able to research and automatically book event tickets or restaurant reservations from multiple providers.
A paradigm shift with far-reaching consequences
The statement “We have no interest in keeping users on our site” marks a historic turning point in Google’s corporate philosophy. What once served as a bridge between users and the web is increasingly becoming a destination that provides the answers itself.
For website operators and publishers, this poses an existential challenge, as they must expect a dramatic decline in traffic. At the same time, Google is positioning itself as a response to the growing competitive pressure from AI competitors.
The long-term effects of this strategy remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the era of the traditional search engine as we knew it is coming to an end.
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