We now know what Google’s ongoing AI advertising tests look like. An SEO consultant named Brodie Clark discovered that the company was inserting ads into search results via AI mode. These ads appear at the bottom of search results in AI mode, powered by Gemini. They are marked as “sponsored” content, but are otherwise similar to other links created by the chatbot.
While Clark claims this was a “first,” a Google spokesperson says the results shown are comparable to similar tests conducted this year. “People seeing AI-powered ads in the wild is simply part of Google’s ongoing testing that we’ve been conducting for several months,” the spokesperson said. In May, the intention to offer ads in AI mode was announced. the company as well he said 9to5Google that there are currently no plans to fully update the AI mode with ads. Those are nice words, though AI has to make money somehow And advertising seems to be a good way to achieve this.
Currently, the software seems to prioritize organic links over sponsored links, but we all know how treacherous advertising can be when the floodgates are opened. Artificial intelligence is a particularly sensitive topic because these chatbots often present themselves as personal assistants. I really don’t want a personal assistant throwing ads at me 24/7.
Also, there doesn’t seem to be any way to hide the sponsored links mentioned above. Google Search allows users to hide sponsored results as they browse through them.
It really seems like our free ride is already coming to an end as AI companies are going full steam ahead with this whole bullshit. X recently announced that it will include ads in search results.
There are also rumors about it. OpenAI has hired turn ChatGPT into an advertising platform. The company is said to have recently launched its social media AI junkyard, Sora. burning 15 million dollars a day Make videos of Sam Altman eating pizza in space or whatever.
Update, Nov. 21, 5 p.m. ET: This story was updated after publication with a note from Google clarifying that the AI-powered ads are part of an ongoing test and there are currently no plans to roll out ads to more users.