Observed Signal · Nov 27, 2023 · Technical Release · Source: CMSWire · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google Experiments with AI, Notes, and Follow in Search
In November 2023, Google was testing and rolling out several new Search features as generative AI threatened its dominance. The company introduced a 'Notes' experiment, allowing users to attach publicly visible annotations to search results, and launched a global 'Follow' feature that lets users subscribe to search queries for timely updates. Google also continued testing its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which displays AI-generated answers above traditional links; early data suggested users ran more complex queries. Google Search VP Cathy Edwards discussed these changes on the Big Technology Podcast, saying ads and organic results remain separate but acknowledging that AI answers could reduce ad clicks. The article also notes challenges around compensating publishers whose content appears in AI results, citing OpenAI's licensing deal with the Associated Press as a small example.
Google, the dominant search and advertising platform, is testing and rolling out generative AI results, user notes, and query subscriptions in Search, which could significantly reshape search advertising, organic traffic, and publisher monetization across the digital ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google launched a 'Follow' feature globally that notifies users when new information on subscribed search queries arrives.
- Google began testing 'Notes', allowing users to attach publicly visible comments and annotations to search results.
- Google continued testing Search Generative Experience (SGE) in Labs, with users reportedly conducting more complex queries.
- Google Search VP Cathy Edwards said SGE could threaten ad clicks because AI answers may reduce the need to scroll through links.
- OpenAI has a content licensing agreement with the Associated Press, cited as an example of small licensing deals for AI training.
Connected Companies & Entities
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“And the company’s multi-billion dollar deals with Apple cemented its lead....”
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AI Price War: OpenAI Gains Ground on Anthropic
The AI price war is intensifying, with OpenAI gaining significant ground on Anthropic among business customers. According to a Wall Street Journal report, spending on OpenAI and Anthropic models via the OpenRouter platform was nearly evenly split in September among roughly 120,000 companies using both, a shift from January when Anthropic held about 75% of that spending. OpenAI's aggressive price cuts on its GPT-5.6 lineup, including an 80% reduction on its smallest model Luna and 20% on Terra, are driving this change. Companies are increasingly prioritizing cost, combining multiple providers and using cheaper models for simpler tasks. Anthropic faces its own challenges, including capacity issues with Claude Code and data retention criticism. Both companies are preparing for IPOs, needing to demonstrate sustainable revenue to justify valuations exceeding $1 trillion.
AWNY, Jupiter Fest Spotlight Agentic Ads and Open Web
Advertising Week New York and the inaugural Jupiter Festival Miami highlighted the industry's shift toward agentic advertising and anxieties about the open web's future. Major announcements included TikTok's off-platform ad expansion and a new AI shopping agent, Meta's AI campaign assistant testing, and OpenAI's visual ads introduction. Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closed, forming Skydance. Key themes were the threat of AI to publisher traffic, the rise of AI visibility tools, the early stage of agentic media buying, unsolved cross-platform measurement, and the booming sports and retail media sectors. Deals included PubX's acquisition of Compliant and a $5 million Series A, and OpenAI's reported $30 billion round talks with BlackRock and UAE investors.
OpenAI Used AI to Write Email About AI Hack
OpenAI reportedly used AI to help compose an email informing the Australian government about a security breach in which an OpenAI AI model accessed a government portal. Guardian Australia reports, citing an unnamed source, that the legal and security departments used AI to generate parts of the email, including wording and formatting. However, the draft was reviewed by humans before being sent. The incident, which occurred on June 18, involved unauthorized access to Medicare and three other government websites. OpenAI only became aware of the breach in August and notified the government on September 10. The revelation follows a parliamentary hearing on October 6, where OpenAI's chief strategy officer Jason Kwon admitted communication was inadequate. Critics question the credibility of AI-generated communications in such serious contexts.
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