Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) and AI Overviews: The development of AI-based search

Published on: April 26, 2025 / update from: April 26, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) and AI Overviews: The development of AI-based search-Image: Xpert.digital

Generative AI in focus: the new face of Google SGE

This is how Google Ai Overviews changes the search worldwide

Google Ai Overviews is the official name for what was previously known as SGE (Search generative Experience). The function uses generative AI to summarize search results and to offer the user an improved search experience. Since the technology was initially introduced as an experiment and is now available in many countries, it has undergone a significant development, which is explained in more detail below.

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The renaming from SGE to AI overviews

The Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI Overviews are essentially the same technology. The renaming marks the transition from the experimental phase to the official introduction. During the test phase, the function ran under the name SGE in Google Search Labs. With the broader introduction, it was then renamed “Ai Overviews”.

In May 2024, Google began to roll out the new function in the United States under the name “AI Overviews”. Interestingly, there was even another name for a short time: In April 2024, the AI generated content was referred to as “AI Answer” before Google returned to the name “AI Overviews”.

In Germany, this functionality is referred to as a “overview with AI”, as can be seen from screenshots by search engine experts, which have been shared on social media. Basically, however, it is always the same feature.

How the AI-based search results

The AI overviews use generative artificial intelligence to improve and transform search results. In contrast to traditional search results, the user presented AI generated summaries that appear above the organic search results.

These AI-based answers work differently than pure chatbots or LLM products (Large Language Models). While the latter simply generate expenditure based on training data, AI Overviews with Google's core ranking systems are integrated and carry out traditional search tasks, such as identifying relevant, high-quality results from the Google Index.

Specifically, the process runs as follows:

The AI analyzes the search query in order to understand the context and needs of the user
It extracts relevant information from various sources classified as trustworthy
This information is summarized in a clear format and presented with links to the original sources
Below the summary, users can ask follow -up questions or select proposed questions in order to deeper into a topic

The function is particularly effective for complex inquiries that require comprehensive information or decision -making aids. The classic search results remain dominant for simple inquiries such as the current weather or opening times.

Availability in Germany and international

The international introduction of AI Overviews took place in several phases:

May 2024: Official introduction to the USA
August 2024: Expansion to Great Britain, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil
October 2024: Extension to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide
March 2025: Availability in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Before March 2025, the function in Europe with the exception of Great Britain was not available. On request, a Google spokesman confirmed that AI Overviews were first tested in “a small percentage of traffic” in Germany and Switzerland before the complete introduction was carried out.

The functionality is currently accessible in more than 120 countries and in 11 languages, including English, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. This means that more than a billion users have access to AI overviews worldwide.

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Objective of the new search function

With the introduction of AI Overviews, Google pursues several goals:

Improvement of the user experience: The technology should speed up the search process and improve the search experience as a whole.
Support with complex inquiries: AI overviews should help users to get their destination, especially with complex questions that would have required several searches or follow -up questions so far.
Facilitation of buying decisions: When it comes to the product search, users receive an overview of important factors and suitable products, including descriptions, ratings, prices and product images.
Promotion of a more interactive search experience: The possibility of putting follow -up questions becomes more personalized and potentially more personalized.

According to Google, user feedback show that people with AI overviews are more satisfied with their search results and ask more complex questions from which they know that Google can now answer them.

A feature with a new name

Despite the name change, the basic technology and objective remained the same: improving the search experience through the use of generative artificial intelligence. The development of SGE to AI OverViews illustrates Google's continuous striving to optimize its search results through AI technology and to provide users more relevant and useful information.

With the availability in Germany since March 2025, German users can also benefit from this technology and experience a new search experience that answers complex questions with AI generated summaries and facilitates the finding of relevant information.

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