Google now Creates AI-generated Podcasts from Search Results
Google has introduced a new feature that creates AI-generated podcasts summarizing search results. Instead of reading links or text summaries, users can now listen to a conversation between two AI voices explaining the information. However, this feature is currently limited to Google’s Search Labs, so you must manually enable it to try it out.
Once enabled, an audio player appears below the “People also ask” section in search results. You have to click a button to generate the podcast, which takes a few seconds. Then, the AI voices deliver a back-and-forth summary, including a list of sources and playback speed controls. For example, Google suggests searching “how do noise cancellation headphones work” to hear this feature in action.
Benefits and Limitations of Audio Overviews
The AI-generated podcasts generally provide accurate summaries for simple topics. Nevertheless, there are more chances for mistakes when summarizing search results. Unlike Google’s NotebookLM, where the AI uses a limited set of documents, search results cover a vast range of sources. This broadness sometimes leads to inaccuracies, a challenge commonly seen in text-based AI summaries.
Google first introduced Audio Overviews in NotebookLM, and later expanded them to Gemini Deep Research and Google Docs. Given this pattern, the company is likely to integrate audio summaries more widely. Therefore, even users who don’t join the current test may soon encounter Audio Overviews in their search experience.
The Future of AI Summaries in Google Search
The quick adoption of AI features by Google shows their commitment to evolving search. Text-based AI Overviews only spent a few months in labs before becoming a standard part of search results. Thus, Audio Overviews could follow a similar path, becoming a regular tool for users who prefer to listen rather than read.
Despite some concerns about accuracy, this new format offers a fresh way to consume information. As AI technology advances, we can expect even more creative ways to interact with search data, potentially transforming how people gather knowledge online.
