Google has begun testing a new feature called Audio Overviews for select search queries, offering users AI-generated spoken summaries of information, the company announced in a blog post.
The experimental feature, now available through Google’s Search Labs program, is designed to make information more accessible by presenting it in audio format, particularly for users who prefer listening over reading or who are multitasking.
Powered by Google’s latest Gemini models, Audio Overviews provide concise, spoken versions of search results, summarising key points through a simple audio player interface that includes play/pause controls, volume adjustment, and playback speed options. The summaries are accompanied by visible links that reference the sources of information being discussed, allowing users to explore topics in more detail if they choose.
"An audio overview can help you get a lay of the land, offering a convenient, hands-free way to absorb information whether you're multitasking or simply prefer an audio experience," the company said.
The feature is currently limited to specific queries where Google’s algorithms determine an audio response may be helpful. Users can also rate the overviews with a thumbs up or down, offering feedback to help refine the tool.
Audio Overviews were first introduced in NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, where they enabled users to create podcast-style summaries from documents like academic readings or legal briefs. The same functionality was later extended to the Gemini platform in March.
The latest move appears to be an extension of Google’s broader push toward generative AI in search. Audio Overviews builds on the previously launched AI Overviews, which offer text-based summaries for complex queries.
However, the timing of the announcement is notable, coming just days after a report by The Wall Street Journal highlighted growing concerns among news publishers over declining web traffic due to Google’s increasing use of AI-generated answers, which reduce the need for users to click through to source websites.
While Google maintains that AI tools are intended to complement traditional search, industry experts have warned of potential implications for journalism and digital publishing.
