Google adds ads to AI Overviews, Google Lens

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) introduced advertisements to AI Overviews and is bringing shopping ads to Google Lens, the company announced today.

When Google introduced AI Overviews during its I/O conference in May, some content creators worried the artificial intelligence-powered summaries could disrupt web traffic, driving down organic visits and ad revenue.

However, Google has created new ways for marketers to reach users utilizing AI Overviews in Search. Search and shopping ads will now appear in AI overviews when relevant to both the query and the response provided.

“This new ad format was designed to help people discover new brands and make informed purchasing decisions,” Google said. “Ads will continue to feature our industry-leading clear and transparent ‘Sponsored’ label.”

The world’s search leader also introduced ads to Google Lens.

“Every month, people use Lens for nearly 20B visual searches, and 20% of all Lens searches are shopping-related,” Google said. “Advertisers can tap into these high-intent consumers, as Shopping ads will appear above and alongside visual search results by the end of the year.”