Google's New AI Search Experience: The Major Disappointment of Excessive Wait Times

Tech media critiques have identified a notable downside of Google's new AI search experience: long wait times. Typically, search results appear almost instantaneously, allowing users to quickly access relevant answers and explore further links. This speed has contributed to Google Search's status as the world’s most visited website.

In May, Google launched the experimental Search Generative Experience (SGE), an AI-driven feature designed to summarize search results. Users can enter keywords and receive rapid, accurate responses without having to click through additional links. This approach aims to accommodate more complex, conversational queries while providing precise answers.

However, users must join a waiting list in Google Search Labs to access SGE. AI-generated summaries appear just below the main search bar, but critics, including The Verge, have noted that a loading animation increases the perceived delay. My experience with SGE revealed that although the responses are generally acceptable, they can sometimes be disorganized. For example, when I searched for "Where can I watch Ted Lasso?", the AI provided accurate information but presented it in fragmented sentences with less relevant details.

On desktop, Google displays source information in card format, but it can be challenging to determine which facts come from which sources, despite a helpful button. In the mobile app, source cards appear below the summary text, and users can click prompts for potential follow-up queries. However, the additional content in SGE results often proves less useful than expected.

At the I/O conference, Google showcased SGE’s capability to generate instant purchasing guides for searches like "Where can I buy Tears of the Kingdom?" Unfortunately, the actual results were chaotic, filled with unnecessary sponsored ads and confusing retail suggestions that did not lead to specific product pages. Even a simple query for a red used iPhone 13 Mini yielded minimal progress.

This trend of cluttered Google search pages is not new. The most frustrating aspect of SGE is the delay of several seconds before summaries appear. Users are met with a blank box and a loading bar, and once results finally display, the summary pushes the link list down. Most users prefer to quickly scroll through links rather than waiting for specific queries.

In summary, while Google’s Search Generative Experience aims to create a more conversational search process, it faces significant challenges, particularly concerning wait times and the clarity of information presented.