Google Introduces New Gemini Research Feature: What Is It?

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Mobile device showing Google Gemini logo and intro

Google unveiled a new “Research with Gemini” feature at its #MadeByGoogle event on August 13, 2024. The keynote went ahead despite the recent DOJ ruling that Google search is an illegal monopoly, sharing updates on Gemini and the new Pixel 9.

The demo showed Gemini conducting research based on a prompt, pulling resources and information from web sources into a detailed Google Doc. The Gemini Research feature is set to launch in the next few weeks, meaning it could drop alongside the much-anticipated Google algorithm update.

But what does this mean for the future of search? Is Gemini looking to mark a new era in search and will it reduce the need for people to click through to websites?

What Is “Research with Gemini”?

Tweet from Google's X account to announce Gemini Research feature
Google shared the news on X following the event. Source: Website Builder Guide

Google announced Research with Gemini at its recent #MadeByGoogle event, adding further functionality to the existing AI-powered chatbot that first launched in December 2023.

Google shared on X that the tool aims to “do in-depth research for you and synthesize the info to give you a simple, comprehensive plan.” The feature will save you time and pull key details from various online sources – like a handy virtual assistant. It’s similar to Google’s AI Overviews which provides a summarized answer to your query in the SERPs.

Upon launch, Gemini Research will only be available for Gemini Advanced users.

Here’s what Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President of Platforms and Devices, said at the event:

“Soon, Gemini will be able to assist as your researcher, saving you tons of time by using information from across the web to create a research report that’s tailored to your exact questions. What used to take hours now takes minutes.”

Osterloh adds:

“Gemini’s new research capability is a big step forward in our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, all while continuing to connect you to the creators, businesses, and organizations that can help you get things done.”

You can watch Google’s full event in the video below, but the Research with Gemini feature announcement can be found at around the 1-hour 16-minute mark:

Could Gemini Research Replace Traditional Search?

Promo for Google's Gemini research feature showing a prompt about opening a cafe in Seattle and needing research
Google’s demo included examples of prompts that the Research with Gemini feature can handle. Source: Website Builder Guide

Could “Gemini it” be the new version of “Google it” when people want a clear answer to something or help with a project?

While the Research with Gemini feature hasn’t even been released yet, it’s possible that it could replace traditional search for a lot of users. It’s easy and quick to use, plus it’s great for on-the-go support with projects or tasks.

SEO consultant Glenn Gabe added to the discussion on X:

“The user experience is super important. Wait, the *Gemini* experience will be very important. :) Soon, people will send Gemini off to research any topic for them, and Gemini will browse the web, collecting information, and then putting together a Google doc with all of the info. Wow, this is exactly what Jarvis would do. Sorry for all the Jarvis references this afternoon, but it’s getting closer. Very close.”

For website owners, this could mean fewer people find themselves on your website for information or advice. If Research with Gemini can pull together a detailed report – with original sources included – it might not be necessary to look elsewhere on the web.

That said, it’s obviously too early to tell how the feature will be received and used. We’re already seeing the nature of search changing with the rise of AI and zero-click searches, so I’ll be interested to see how this latest development unfolds.

Stay tuned to our newsfeed for the latest updates from Google.

Written by:
Headshot of Emma Ryan
Emma is Lead Writer at Website Builder Guide, having first joined the team in 2022. She manages the website's topical content strategy to help website owners navigate the highs and lows of being online. Emma also specializes in following the development of leading website builders Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, through hands-on testing and research. Her work and expertise have been featured in Startups.co.uk, Digiday, TechRound, Industry Today, and Digital Information World.

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