re:publica 25: Solving Search for the AI age - the future of an ever-evolving product

 

Video here. 

Google was one of the sponsors (Partners) at re:publica.

(Sell ads...Nothing more ;-)?)

 

 

 

Also quite interesting as it shows that Google hasn't been innovating much since becoming a monopolist, actually. Very busy building moats instead (see antitrust cases)?

AI used since forever.

Saying that AI is a great opportunity for creators: the argument is that queries are much more complex, answers (eg in AI overviews) better, generating better and longer engagement with websites. And also, people are asking more because more complex questions are possible.  "Trust us." Young users love it!

Agentic seems really the end game, at this point.  

Interesting slip of the tongue: "Given the success of AI Overviews, we found that...The success of the AI Overviews and the product market fit that it was finding" - the impression is that the AI push is now the must, figuring out how to repair/rediscover the web (web that AI buries alive) is for later. Providing incentives here and there to keep the ecosystem alive?

Will people continue using Google Search in the future? It'll depend on the competition on the merits, if others have the chance to emerge and be selected (for a DMA-related reflection see this draft paper I really need to finalize now but waiting for the closing arguments from the other side of the pond).
 

GenZ interviewer: not using Google Search much, rather ChatGPT or TikTok. 

Honest answer "I clearly have to find a way to get you to start using Google Search more..." - great, as long as it is by competing on the merits, not by building moats...

UPDATE 5 June 2025: 

Would running such adds fall under "competing on the merits" measures?