Subj : Google might muck up desktop search with a new Discovery Feed
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri Oct 13 2023 23:45:04

Google might muck up desktop search with a new Discovery Feed

Date:
Fri, 13 Oct 2023 22:30:29 +0000

Description:
Google is testing a Discovery Feed for desktop that will pack a ton of 
information into the search engine's home page.

FULL STORY
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The line between the Google experience on desktop and mobile is beginning to 
blur as the company may introduce a Discovery Feed to its search engine for 
web browsers . 

This nugget of information comes from tech news site MSPowerUser , which 
recently discovered the update. The feed is similar to what you see on Bing 
and the Google smartphone app although it does add a bit more. In addition to 
displaying headlines from articles, you get the local weather forecast, stock 
market information for three corporations, and sports scores on the right 
side. A Google representative told TheVerge this is nothing more than an 
experiment currently being run in India. No word if the redesign will make 
its way to other countries. Potentially limited 

This wouldnt be the first time the tech giant has messed around with the 
clean front page of its search engine . 9To5Google has an interesting 
timeline showcasing various tweaks that have been made to the front page. At 
one point, there was even a section dedicated to displaying news stories on 
the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest difference with the older styles is they 
consisted of a few widgets at the bottom of the screen. 

The current test has content taking up large portions of the screen, pushing 
the search bar to the top of the window. The layout becomes way more 
cluttered. 

This wouldnt be so bad if there was a way to disable the feature, or at the 
very least, tweak it. Unfortunately, this might not happen. Android Police in 
their report points out Googles Discovery Feed on smartphones cannot be 
disabled or even customized. Its totally at the mercy of website owners who 
want their content to reach the right audience. The feed will show articles 
related to a persons interests, but thats as far as it goes regarding 
customization. If you can't beat them... 

Of course, theres no guarantee the experiment will become official, although 
it is an interesting insight into what Google is thinking of introducing to 
its search engine. On October 12, the company began testing an image 
generation tool on the AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE). Again, 
similar to Bing, it gives the search engine the ability to create images 
according to a text prompt. 

It is a little funny to see Google chase after Bing like this. For years, its 
always felt like Bing was always playing second fiddle, but now with the 
advent of AI, the tables have seemingly turned. What else will Google adopt 
from Microsoft if its willing to go further? Maybe well see a Chrome version 
of Microsoft Copilot someday soon, though it will still be called Google 
Assistant . 

While were on the topic of AI, be sure to check out TechRadars list of the 
best AI art generators in 2023 . You might also like Pixel 8 Pro houses its 
own generative AI model  here's what it means Stop pining for Apple Search  
even Microsoft knows Google Search is unstoppable Your Google Search grammar 
errors are about to get an AI scrub



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/google-might-muck-up-desktop-sear
ch-with-a-new-discovery-feed


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