What is search generative experience (SGE)?
You may have heard of ChatGPT, an AI-based chat that can respond to a wide range of questions and conversation topics. SGE is the search engine’s answer to ChatGPT, and is Google’s latest idea within AI. It’s all about delivering informative and engaging search results with the help of artificial intelligence. With SGE, the searcher can get even more relevant answers to their query, without having to click through to websites.
Unlike the search results we see today, which display hits based on keywords, SGE has a deeper understanding of the context you are looking for. The AI feature is designed to understand complex queries and search intent to a much greater extent, creating a discussion-like experience that gives the user a more interactive journey.
Source: searchengineland.com
Why is Google implementing SGE in the search results?
For 25 years, Google has been at the forefront of search engine development and innovation. As the world’s leading search engine, Google continuously works to develop helpful features that deliver the most accurate search results possible – with the best user experience as the main priority. Google wants to understand exactly what you are looking for.
Let’s say you search for: What is best for a family with children under 5 and a cat, a Ragdoll or a British Shorthair?
Normally, you might have had to search several websites to get an answer to such a comprehensive question. With SGE, Google will provide you with a thorough and relevant answer right at the top of the search results.
How we believe SGE will impact SEO
Based on what we know, the SGE project is still in an early phase, and it will be quite some time before SGE is launched in Norway. A lot can happen in the process from Google’s labs until the feature is implemented on our laptops. There is still uncertainty around what the SGE interface will look like, when it will be launched, and how it will handle sources. But when that day comes, what impact will it have on SEO?
In our SEO work, we aim to reach first place, and ideally position 0 in the search results (position 0 is a highlighted section above the first result). A feature like SGE – which will replace today’s display of rank 0 – can therefore seem discouraging for companies that have worked hard to earn a high ranking from Google.
At this point, we believe that SGE is not a threat to SEO, but rather that it will create opportunities to strengthen your competitive advantage. If you follow Google’s guidelines such as E-E-A-T, (experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness), helpful content and YMYL, SGE will value this and help ensure that you are part of the growth.
3 things you can do to prepare for SGE
If you’re worried that SGE will take over your position in the search results, it really comes down to diving even deeper into SEO and doing what you can to engage your target audience. Here are three concrete tips on how you can prepare for SGE:
1
Monitor your own rankings and optimize existing content
2
Ask yourself: Do we have full coverage for our keyword? Is there anything we can do in our SEO work to satisfy the search engine even further?
3
Work according to Google’s guidelines and create content that people actually need
We are happy to help you with SEO
Overall, SGE will improve position 0, where the intention is to encourage people to search more using long-tail keywords (like the example above), and move away from short keywords precisely to improve the user experience. As long as you make use of solid SEO expertise and follow Google’s clear guidelines, we see SGE as an opportunity, not a threat. Need help with SEO? Take a look at our SEO-tjenester and get in touch with us for a chat!
