Google just dropped Web Guide, an AI-powered search feature that organizes links into helpful categories without drowning you in AI summaries. Here’s how it works and why it actually feels like old-school search (but smarter).
Google Just Made Search Feel a Little Less… Annoying
On Thursday, Google soft-launched Web Guide, a new AI-powered feature tucked away in Search Labs. It’s not a total search revolution — but honestly, that’s kind of the point.
Web Guide uses a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model to do something really simple (and low-key brilliant): group links in actually helpful ways.
So instead of shoving an AI Overview down your throat or burying the link you wanted under Reddit posts and recipe blogs, it pulls together organized categories — think: “Troubleshooting,” “How-Tos,” or “Beginner’s Guides” — with links neatly sorted beneath each.
What Web Guide Actually Does (And Doesn’t Do)
Let’s say you search for: “How to care for a mango tree” 🌳
Here’s what Web Guide gives you:
- Two normal, relevant links up top
- An AI-generated summary (meh, more on that in a sec)
- Multiple categorized link sections like:
- Mango Tree Care in Specific Climates
- Troubleshooting Mango Tree Issues
- Comprehensive Mango Tree Guides
- Mango Tree Care in Specific Climates
You’ll get stuff from legit sources like universities, YouTube vids, Quora threads, and even Reddit (remember that $60M deal Google made with Reddit last year to use its data? Yep, it’s in play).
But here’s the cool part: It doesn’t completely take over. You can still switch back to standard results, and this feature lives in the Web tab — aka the one spot that’s not overrun by AI bloat. At least, for now.
AI That Sorts Instead of Speaks? Kinda Refreshing
The categories Web Guide makes are pretty clutch for diving deeper. Searching something broad? Boom, you get subtopics to explore.
Looking for quick answers? It often throws the best links right up top, like search used to in the before times.
That said, the little AI blurbs beneath each section? Kind of obvious. One example described how mango tree care “varies depending on age and location” — no way, right? It’s harmless filler that might pad things out but doesn’t really add value if you already know how to read.
Still, the categorization is actually useful, especially for long or multi-part questions like:
“My family is spread across multiple time zones. What are the best tools for staying connected and maintaining close relationships despite the distance?”
Web Guide breaks it down and surfaces tools for video calls, shared calendars, and communication hacks — without turning it into some philosophical AI manifesto on loneliness.
How to Try It (Before It Spreads Everywhere)
Right now, Web Guide is opt-in only, and you’ll need to:
- Head to Google Search Labs
- Toggle on Web Guide
- Use the Web tab when searching
Heads-up: Google says it’s planning to bring this to the main “All” tab soon. So if you’re enjoying that stripped-down “just give me links” vibe, cherish it while it lasts.
Google’s Web Guide Might Be the AI Search We Actually Asked For
- Launch: July 25 via Search Labs
- What it does: Sorts search results into helpful, AI-curated categories
- Powered by: Gemini, using a “query fanout” technique
- Why it matters: Cuts clutter, keeps links first, makes big questions easier to explore
- Caveats: AI summaries still feel generic, and Kuycon-style brand trust isn’t an issue, but execution varies
Verdict: If you miss the clean, usable Google Search of the 2010s but don’t mind a little AI assist, Web Guide is worth a try. Just don’t get too comfy — once it hits the “All” tab, we may be back in AI soup territory.
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