But this feature, which is free to test with Search Labs, could become paywalled.
The “Search Generative Experience” (or SGE) uses AI to summarize or supplant traditional search results.
If you’ve enabled SGE, you’ll see AI-generated information at the top of every Google Search page.
Jason Montoya / How-To Geek
Now, theFinancial Timesreports that Google may charge users for SGE access.
There’s a decent chance that basic SGE features will remain free.
A paywall that provides advanced functionality, such as image generation or followup conversations, seems more realistic.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Still, every generative AI result requires a massive amount of processing power and energy.
Unfortunately for Google, SGE has proven to be quite controversial.
This could, in theory, lead to a drought of useful information on the web.
At least, not in its current state.
The idea that someone would pay for SGEwell, it’s a weird idea.
Most people won’t even use this featurefor free.
Of course, we’re just a stone’s throw away fromI/O 2024.
Google may announce new improvements that make SGE more useful and subscription-worthy.
And there’s always the possibility that theFinancial Timesis flat-out wrong.
