Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini
This change will roll out to most devices except Android 9 or earlier (and some other devices).
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is both the name of a consumer-facing assistant baked into consumer products as well as a platform designed to allow the Google search engine to interact with users in a conversational manner.
Google Assistant was announced in May 2016. It first appeared integrated into Google’s communication app Allo in September 2016. In October 2016, it was made part of the Google Pixel phone. In November 2016, it was put into the Google Home device. In February 2017, it came to Android Wear watches. In March 2017, it was widely released for Android phones running Android 6 and 7.
Google plans to add Google Assistant into more products and applications, but it hasn’t said what those will be.
For more about Google Assistant, see our stories below.
Google Gemini app now available for iPhone users
Previously only available as a standalone app on Android, and available within the iOS Google app - now it is a standalone app for iOS users.
Google rolls out AI Overviews in US with more countries coming soon
AI Overview link cards get a higher click through rate than normal web search results but Google won't break out click data in Search Consoles for content creators.
The list of features being removed from Google Assistant
Google said these changes are to "focus on quality and reliability" but Google has also fired hundreds of employees with these changes.
Google updates Bard to improve math, logic responses
Google said Bard can better understand and respond to prompts for multi-step word and math problems. Coding is coming soon.
Google shut down Duplex on the Web
Google has also retired the DuplexWeb-Google web crawler.
Google to test AR prototype glasses, lenses for visual search and more
Is this the second generation of Google Glass, how will this change the future of search and marketing?
Why entity search is your competitive advantage
Here's how to leverage entity search and deploy a winning strategy across the organization.
Yet another automation feature rolling out in Google Ads; Friday’s daily brief
Plus, a deep-dive into FLoC cohorts and opportunities for advertisers.
Are all the Google algorithm updates too much to handle?; Wednesday’s daily brief
Also, Google talks about search rankings and spam prevention.
Unusual start to a Google core update, don’t you think?; Monday’s daily brief
Plus, Moz is sold to iContact
Google removes short names from business profiles, adds new label to local listings and tests new local card
Google is always busy with new features, changes and updates to its local search product.
Google’s LaMDA will enable open-ended voice conversations
This might be the voice search functionality we’ve all been waiting for.
Some new local search changes you should be aware of; Wednesday’s daily brief
Also, Google updated its event structured data report in Search Console.
Automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh; Auto-applied recommendations; Thursday’s daily brief
Plus, the business imperative behind inclusion and diversity
Prabhakar Raghavan, Google’s head of search appoints new leads
Elizabeth Reid to lead core search experiences, Cathy Edwards to lead Apps, News Discover and Ecosystem efforts and Sissie Hsiao to lead Assistant.
Where Google is placing its bets in 2021
A look at where Google might be headed in 2021.
Could Google passage indexing be leveraging BERT?
How Google leverages BERT depends on the use of the term ‘Passage Indexing’ (although it’s identified as a ranking update).
Google Ads turns 20: The most important trends and changes of the past 5 years
Looking back, we can see where the biggest trends in search (and beyond) are heading.
Google Podcasts Manager shows you search impressions and clicks from Google Search
You can see impressions and clicks for Google Podcasts results that appear in Search, as well as top discovered episodes and search terms that led to your podcast.
Your all-access guide to improving your Google search visibility
Search Google for the services that your business provides. How can you get in the top 10 results instead of in the millionth position?
Voice SEO: Different tactics required for Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa
Study by SEMrush found only 1% overlap in answers to the same voice queries across platforms.
The Google Assistant may start calling businesses to confirm in-stock inventory
Google is expanding the use cases of its 'Duplex' AI tool.
Google promotes Prabhakar Raghavan to lead Search, replacing Ben Gomes
Jerry Dischler becomes the new head of Google Ads, Gomes takes over Google Education, while Google veteran Jen Fitzpatrick takes on engineering.
Google Assistant’s ‘confirm with voice match’ gives new meaning to ‘contactless payments’
Intriguing new feature could simply be a test or the future of shopping on the Google Assistant.
Google is suggesting searches based on users’ recent activity
The suggestions surface for multiple intents for logged-in users.
Google Rich Results testing tool adds support for ‘How To’ markup for Google Home displays
You can now test your pages in real time to see how Google can display your how-to pages on smart displays.
The digital marketing transformation led by Google and Amazon
It’s worth the time investment to consider how we can continue to evolve our advertising strategy along with the biggest platforms.
How BERT is helping SEO agencies focus on collaboration strategies
BERT is pushing agencies to assess how content creators and SEOs collaborate to address users’ intent and provide the best results for clients.
The big list of Google My Business changes, upgrades and tests in 2019
The key GMB updates of 2019 with local experts’ perspective on what's most significant.
SEO year in review 2019: Zero-click searches, BERT, local spam and more
What’s past is prologue. Here’s our recap of the stories that will shape search for years to come.
Pro Tip: A look back at some helpful tips from our SEO community in 2019
Here are 5 tips from our SEO community we think are worth a second look.
Nine voice search stats to close out 2019
A look back at some of the year's key voice search and virtual assistant metrics.
SMX Overtime: Opportunities and challenges for conversational voice search
Expert search marketer and SMX speaker, Eric Enge, explains why brands need to better understand voice apps and interactions to meet their user needs.
Google now showing ‘request quotes’ button above local pack on mobile
Large button appears above 3-pack, connected to GMB messaging.
Google brings ‘Interpreter Mode’ language translation to the Assistant on smartphones
The capability was introduced previously on Google Home and smart displays.
Say hello to Google’s new Publisher Center
The interface is now the central hub for publishers to manage content across Google.
How to use Schema to create a Google Action
A new update makes Google Actions accessible to a broader range of marketers to build an Action from scratch.
Google Maps the dominant local search tool, followed by Facebook and Yelp
The average user is on a smartphone at home – and is most likely to visit a business the next day after a local search.
Google’s ‘Duplex on the web’ enables the Assistant to buy movie tickets for you
The move is part of a much larger strategy to host the transaction.