Google revealed a slew of updates and new features to its
products during its Google I/O 2023 developer conference on Wednesday.
One that could have broad implications for travel is the new
Perspectives filter, rolling out in the coming weeks in Search.
According to a Google spokesperson, users will see the
Perspectives filter prominently at the top of the search results page on queries - including those related
to travel - when the user “may benefit from the experience of other people.”
By
tapping the filter, users will see blog posts, question-and-answer threads,
images and long- and short-form videos from sources such as TikTok, Instagram,
YouTube, Reddit, Quora and Twitter - potentially adding visibility to content from influencers and traveler reviews.
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Google
will also show details about the content’s creators such as name, profile photo
and information about the popularity of the content.
The filter comes at a time when TikTok
has become a popular option for search, especially among younger
generations. Last summer Google senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan, speaking
at a technology conference said “In our studies, something like almost 40%
of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to
Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.”
And it appears this version of Perspectives is a tweak on
the concept Google first announced
in March. At that time the company described it as a way to help users
better understand news stories by providing “insights from a range of journalists,
experts and other relevant voices.”
In other notable updates, the search giant is using
artificial intelligence in new ways in Search and Maps.
For Search, Google says generative AI will now “do the heavy
lifting” for consumers – compiling a comprehensive response to search queries that
can include an AI-generated response as well as relevant links and suggested
next steps and follow-up questions.
As an example, Google showed that a prompt of “What's better
for a family with kids under 3 and a dog, Bryce Canyon or Arches” returns a
snapshot of key information to consider with links to learn more.
And when users tap on a suggested next step, Search takes
you to a new conversational mode with context carried over from question to question.
Google is also enhancing AI in Maps to provide a more
immersive experience for users.
Using computer vision, AI and aerial images, Immersive View
for routes can now visualize every step of a journey, whether for driving,
walking or cycling. Users get a multi-dimensional view of their journey,
including how the weather along the route may change throughout the day and how
many cars may be on the road at a given time.
Immersive View for routes is rolling out in the coming
months in 15 cities including New York, Paris, Tokyo, London and Berlin.