Skip to content

Features
Pricing
Changelog
Status

Tag: Conversational AI

Ask YouTube AI Search Now Reaches U.S. Desktop Users

I’m watching YouTube take a bigger step into conversational search by expanding Ask YouTube to signed-in U.S. desktop viewers who are 13 and older. What started as a Premium-only experiment is now reaching a much broader audience.

What is Ask YouTube? I see Ask YouTube as YouTube’s AI-powered search layer. Instead of typing a traditional keyword query and scanning a list of videos, I can ask a natural-language question in the YouTube search bar and get an AI response that may include text, video clips, long-form videos, Shorts, and suggested follow-up prompts.

Access is expanding. When YouTube announced the test in April, Ask YouTube was limited to U.S. YouTube Premium members who were 18 and older and opted in through youtube.com/new. On July 6, YouTube expanded it to signed-in U.S. viewers 13 and older using English-language searches on desktop.

Signed-out viewers and supervised accounts are still excluded for now. YouTube also said it plans to bring the feature to more devices, languages, and users worldwide in the coming months.

Standard YouTube Search is not going away. If I land on an Ask YouTube results page and want the usual video results, I can click All or return to the Home page. That means Ask YouTube remains a separate search option, not a full replacement for traditional YouTube Search.

Views still count for creators. YouTube said videos featured inside Ask YouTube responses can give creators another path to discovery. Views from Shorts, videos, and previews shown in Ask YouTube responses count toward total view metrics and YouTube Partner Program eligibility.

I also noticed that featured videos display the video title and channel name, which matters for attribution and visibility. For creators, YouTube’s guidance is clear: publish unique, high-quality content with descriptive titles and clear chapters so its systems can better match video segments to viewer questions.

A bold Google logo sits atop layered, colorful digital documents, evoking the fast-moving world of search marketing, ad formats, campaign assets, and platform updates.

Why I care. YouTube is putting conversational AI search in front of a much larger group of U.S. desktop users. If I’m creating or optimizing video content, this raises the value of clear titles, useful chapters, and segments that directly answer specific questions.

For SEO and content teams, this is another reminder that discovery is shifting from simple keyword matching toward answer-based experiences. The videos most likely to benefit are the ones that make it easy for YouTube to understand what each section covers and which viewer questions it solves.

What it looks like. YouTube shared a GIF showing Ask YouTube in action, where users can ask a question, review AI-assisted results, and continue with follow-up prompts.

The announcement: Try a new conversational search experience with Ask YouTube

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 9, 2026
Why ChatGPT Ads Are Becoming Much Harder to Dismiss

I am seeing OpenAI point to early momentum in its advertising business, with executives saying ChatGPT users are dismissing ads less often and engaging with them more. For me, that makes ad dismissal a key signal to watch as OpenAI looks for revenue beyond subscriptions and enterprise AI.

What is happening. OpenAI says ChatGPT ad dismissals have dropped by 50% since the company launched its advertising business in February. I read that decline as OpenAI’s way of showing that its ads are becoming more relevant, because the company treats dismissals as a proxy for whether users find an ad useful or intrusive.

The update came from OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser, who framed relevance as a central focus for the company as it builds advertising into ChatGPT.

Why I care. If users are becoming more open to ads inside ChatGPT, I see conversational AI becoming a more serious advertising channel. A 50% drop in dismissals suggests better relevance and stronger engagement, which could give brands a way to reach people during high-intent, task-focused moments instead of relying only on interruptive ad formats.

Why relevance matters. I think ads inside AI experiences face a much higher bar than traditional display ads. People usually come to ChatGPT to complete a task, answer a question, compare options or solve a problem, so an ad that feels disconnected can quickly create friction and damage trust.

According to Dresser, OpenAI has been focused on making the format useful. “This form factor is about usefulness,” she said. “That’s great for the consumer, great for the user.”

The bigger picture. I see these results as an early look at how advertising may evolve inside generative AI platforms. Instead of interrupting content consumption, AI-powered advertising is moving toward recommendations that fit the user’s intent and the conversation already underway.

That shift means success may depend less on grabbing attention and more on being genuinely helpful. The lower dismissal rate suggests OpenAI is making progress toward that goal, even if the ad model is still early.

Competition extends beyond advertising. I also see this update in the context of OpenAI expanding its business on multiple fronts. While it builds an ads business, the company is also competing for enterprise AI spending against rivals such as Anthropic.

That creates pressure for OpenAI to diversify revenue streams while still protecting the user experience across both consumer and enterprise products.

What I am watching next. If OpenAI keeps improving ad relevance while maintaining engagement, I think ChatGPT could become a meaningful new advertising platform and a useful early blueprint for how ads work in conversational AI environments.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Why Reddit’s Conversation Data Matters for AI Search

I am paying close attention to how Reddit conversations are shaping AI search, especially after Profound collaborated with Reddit to analyze how conversational data informs AI-generated answers.

What stands out to me is how much value AI systems can draw from real discussions, lived experiences, and community-driven context. Reddit’s conversational data helps reveal the kinds of answers people are looking for, the language they use, and the perspectives that can influence how AI-generated responses are formed.

Inspired by this post on Try Profound Blog.

July 3, 2026
Transforming Alexa: Your New Shopping Ally and Ad Hub

I recently discovered how Amazon is revolutionizing shopping with Alexa by turning it into a powerful tool for both purchasing and advertising. It’s fascinating to see how they are threading advertising into AI-driven shopping chats, opening fresh channels for brands to connect with customers.

Amazon is demonstrating that conversational and agentic shopping aren’t just futuristic ideas. They’re already changing the landscape of how we discover, compare, and purchase products today. It’s a compelling shift that makes shopping more interactive.

As AI assistants evolve into shopping hubs, advertisers can seize the moment when I express buying intent, rather than depending solely on traditional search methods or passive sites. This is a game-changer for both consumers and brands.

What’s happening: Amazon has cleverly merged its AI shopping assistant, Rufus, with Alexa+ to create an enhanced shopping experience named Alexa for Shopping. This service aids us in researching products, comparing options, tracking prices, building carts, and even automating purchases.

Advertising is a key component of this new experience. Integrated directly into our shopping dialogues are sponsored products, brands, and conversational ad formats, making it easier for brands to capture our attention.

What advertisers get: If you’re an advertiser, good news — your existing sponsored ad campaigns are automatically enabled to appear in Alexa for Shopping. The conversational ad formats also give brands a unique way to engage us throughout our buying journey. Tools like closed-loop measurement, first-party data signals, and AI-driven campaign optimizers make ad management more efficient.

Why we care: The integration of advertising into Alexa for Shopping provides advertisers with access to rich conversations filled with intent, from the moment of product discovery all the way to purchase. This means a potentially shorter path to conversion and enhanced metrics tracking.

The update also shows us how commerce and advertising are blending within AI assistants. This blend could potentially make our journey from product discovery to purchase smoother, while also offering advertisers comprehensive measurement abilities from the initial impression to the final purchase.

By the numbers: In 2025, more than 300 million customers used Rufus, according to Amazon. They also reported that nearly 20% of us engage in ongoing conversations about brands when prompted by Sponsored Brands, and those prompts lead to a 6% increase in conversions.

Between the lines: Amazon’s offering to advertisers is that conversational AI generates richer intent signals than traditional methods. Instead of decoding our needs from clicks or searches, Alexa can respond directly to our expressed requests, preferences, and purchase goals in our natural language.

The bottom line: As shopping turns more conversational, Amazon is integrating advertising within the same platforms we use for product research, option comparison, and purchase finalization.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 11, 2026
Google’s AI Evolution: Transforming Ads Into Engaging Conversations
Have you ever noticed how ads are transforming from simple clicks to engaging conversations? Google’s latest AI advancements have unveiled an incredible shift in how we interact with advertising, challenging our perceptions of visibility, trust, and the role of marketers.

Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin recently penned a detailed piece on over 40 new innovations spanning Google Ads, Analytics, AI, and more. While these updates cover everything from conversational AI to predictive attribution, the underlying narrative reveals a more profound transformation.

I see Google consciously reshaping the advertising landscape to focus on intent prediction, AI-driven decision-making, and automation that qualifies users even before they become customers.

These innovations are poised as solutions to a familiar marketer’s challenge: bridging the gap between generating leads and generating valuable leads.

Google wants ads to become conversations

A telling example of this shift is the Business Agent for leads. By integrating conversational AI within Search Ads, Google’s moving away from traditional click-through interactions.

Marvin notes that prospective customers will now be able to ask specific questions about services or pricing directly within the ad. This shift deeply impacts the role of ads by embedding interaction and qualification into the experience itself.

Historically, lead generation was straightforward: click, land on a page, and fill a form. Now, AI is enhancing the process by embedding layers of qualification and assurance right in the ad experience.

For businesses in trust-critical sectors like finance or healthcare, this evolution could significantly reshape lead quality dynamics.

Intent over Volume

Marvin’s updates steer towards optimizing predicted business results rather than merely conversion volumes.

With new tools like lead intent scores and journey-aware bidding, Google aims at reducing ineffective leads within the pipeline.

The approach solves the industry’s pain point of focusing solely on cheap conversions that add little to the client base.

However, with more aspects of qualification and forecasting handled by Google, advertisers might lose transparency in decision-making processes, an important consideration in the AI-driven era.

AI Max: Evolving Performance

AI Max signifies how Google’s AI-driven optimization is sweeping through Search. It applies extended algorithmic exploration to campaigns, broadening targeting and uncovering new opportunities beyond traditional pathways.

While ecommerce players with strong data may find new scale opportunities, lead generation marketers without robust offline conversion data might face higher risks.

This phase of rollout, echoing early Performance Max challenges, underlines the need for advertisers to back automation with rich, business-quality signals.

Rich data integration is critical as AI systems only optimize based on received data, highlighting why offline conversion tracking and CRM integration are now pivotal in Google Ads strategy.

Predictive Measurement at the Core

An understated yet crucial change is Google’s pivot to predictive measurement models, linking ad exposure to future behaviors.

Tools like Attributed Branded Searches go beyond historical data, estimating potential future outcomes.

Such foresight promises insights into long buying journeys but also fosters reliance on opaque AI forecasts.

The strategic debate looms over the trade-off between automation efficiency and advertiser visibility.

Revolutionizing Creative Production

Marvin’s insights suggest Asset Studio’s rise as an AI-driven creative production powerhouse. Google aspires to unify creative development, analysis, optimization, and testing into a single workflow.

This can alleviate bottlenecks for lean teams, but as AI democratizes creativity, real differentiation will hinge on brand strategy and deep audience insights over sheer production prowess.

The Bigger Picture

While some of these enhancements might appear incremental, collectively, they mark a substantial evolution within Google Ads. Google’s crafting itself into the backbone of contemporary advertising decision-making.

Ultimately, the task for advertisers is finding the right balance between embracing automation and retaining strategic insight.

Though AI promise advancements and opportunities, understanding key signals, genuine business outcomes, and when to rely on human insight will define long-term success.

Dig deeper:
- 42 Launches Redefining Lead Generation
- Google Marketing Live 2026: Everything you need to know
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
May 26, 2026
Discover Google’s Innovative Conversational Ads in AI and Search
I’m excited to share that Google is testing new conversational ad formats, powered by Gemini, across AI Mode and Search. This development is aimed at making ads more contextual and engaging, bringing a fresh approach to advertising.

The introduction of these Gemini-powered formats was revealed at Google Marketing Live 2026. With these new ad experiences, ads are intended to feel more conversational, contextually relevant, and genuinely helpful to users like you and me.

Driving the news: Google announced exciting additions to AI-powered Search ads. These include Conversational Discovery ads, Highlighted Answers, AI-powered Shopping ads, and the Business Agent for Leads. All these are part of Google’s strategy to integrate Gemini deeper into its Search and advertising framework.

Conversational Discovery ads are really innovative! Imagine asking a question about making your home smell like a spa, and right there in AI Mode, you see creative solutions generated with Gemini that perfectly match your query.

How it works: Google’s Gemini models analyze what you’re really asking and create ad content that fits the conversation. These ads come with an AI explainer that helps you understand the product or service better, integrating it with what the advertiser wants to tell you.

I’m particularly intrigued by the Highlighted Answers, where relevant ads pop up right within AI-generated recommendations. It feels like a natural extension of the conversation!

Additionally, Google is rolling out AI-powered Shopping ads for significant purchase decisions like buying a new TV or home appliance. Gemini steps in to create unique explainers that highlight why a product might be perfect for your needs.

Business Agent for Leads takes interactivity to a new level by embedding an AI chat experience in lead generation ads. Instead of completing static forms, you can chat with a Gemini-powered agent to learn more, directly informed by the sponsor’s website.

Moreover, Google is expanding its Direct Offers pilot, bringing features like promotion bundling, native checkout for UCP merchants, and AI-generated offer recommendations to the table. This ensures offers are tailored to what you might actually be shopping for!

Why we care: These updates represent a paradigm shift in how ads are rendered in AI-powered Search ecosystems. By focusing on conversational discovery and intent-rich interactions, I believe Google is paving the way for advertisers to better connect with their audiences.

It’s crucial for advertisers, who adapt quickly to these new ad formats, to optimize experiences that resonate better, potentially gaining an edge as user search habits evolve.

What to watch: As the rollout continues, I’ll be keeping an eye on how these conversational placements impact metrics like click-through rates and conversions. The broader implications for monetizing search with AI are enormous!

For those wondering when they can see these innovations: Conversational Discovery ads and Highlighted Answers are currently in testing phases in the U.S. on both mobile and desktop platforms. Meanwhile, AI-powered Shopping ads and the Business Agent for Leads feature are expected to unfold soon, starting in open beta for U.S. businesses.

Dig deeper: If you’re interested in more groundbreaking updates from Google Marketing Live 2026, check out these stories:
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
May 20, 2026
Discover Google’s New AI Tools for Enhanced Retail Performance
Today, I’m thrilled to share that Google has unveiled exciting new tools in the Merchant Center, all geared towards boosting retailer visibility on AI-driven shopping platforms. Announced at Google Marketing Live 2026, these tools are set to transform how products are discovered.

Driving the news. Let me introduce you to AI Performance Insights, a fresh reporting feature that gives merchants a snapshot of their brand’s performance across AI platforms.

This handy tool lets me compare my brand’s share of voice with similar competitors, ensuring I stay on top of AI-driven discovery metrics.

Google is also introducing Conversational Attributes, enhancing how we optimize our product listings to align with natural, conversational searches.

How it works. I can now add conversational attributes and update descriptions directly in the Merchant Center. Google’s AI can utilize this structured data to meet conversational search queries seamlessly across AI Mode, Gemini, and other AI platforms.

These updates are crafted to enhance discoverability as AI continues to reshape shopping experiences.

Moreover, Ask Advisor integrations are soon to be part of my Merchant Center tools.

Why we care. Structured product data is now more essential than ever as AI shopping experiences proliferate across Search, Gemini, and Maps.

By adapting product descriptions for conversational discovery, I can better position my products within AI-generated recommendations and shopping paths.

These new reporting tools also give me early visibility into how my brand performs in AI-powered environments.

What to watch. With the rise of conversational search behavior, optimizing product feeds for AI visibility is becoming increasingly critical. I’ll also be keeping an eye on how Google defines and measures “share of voice” within these AI-powered shopping ecosystems.

Availability. AI Performance Insights will soon roll out in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Conversational Attributes are launching globally.

Dig deeper. Here are some more updates from Google Marketing Live 2026:
- Google tests new conversational ad formats in AI Mode and Search
- Google expands Direct Offers with AI-generated bundles, native checkout, and travel deals
- Google brings Meridian marketing mix modeling into Analytics 360
- Google expands Demand Gen with YouTube creator tools
- Google upgrades Asset Studio with Gemini-powered creative generation and video tools
- Google expands Universal Commerce Protocol and launches new agentic shopping tools
- Google launches Ask Advisor across Ads, Analytics, and Merchant Center
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
May 20, 2026
How AI Is Revolutionizing Retail: The End of Shopping Carts?

I’ve recently delved into the fascinating world of conversational commerce AI, and I can’t help but feel excited about how it’s changing the shopping landscape. From how we discover products to the actual purchasing process, this technology is redefining our retail experiences.

What really intrigues me is what these changes mean for brands operating in an AI-dominated retail space. The implications are huge, and it could very well spell the end for traditional shopping carts as we know them.

Inspired by this post on HiGoodie Blog.

April 29, 2026
Yelp’s AI Assistant Revolutionizes Local Search and Bookings

I’m thrilled to share that Yelp has just introduced a powerful AI update, bringing a new level of ease to local searches and bookings with their conversational “Yelp Assistant.” This tool is designed to help me move from searching to booking, ordering, and scheduling—all in one seamless experience.

Discover What’s New. At the heart of this innovation is the Yelp Assistant, a chatbot capable of answering complex questions, recommending businesses, and even making reservations or appointments without me ever needing to leave the app.

How It Works. The assistant taps into Yelp’s vast database of user reviews and photos to offer tailored recommendations, explain why a business is a good fit, and allow me to refine results in a conversational manner. It takes things to the next level by letting me book a table, order food, or request a quote without needing to switch platforms.

What Else Is New. Yelp is also enhancing integrations with platforms like Vagaro, Zocdoc, and Calendly, which streamlines bookings in categories such as beauty, healthcare, and home services. Plus, they’re strengthening their partnership with DoorDash for smoother delivery options.

Spotlight on Menu Vision. Another exciting feature is the revamped “Menu Vision,” which uses AI and visual overlays to display dishes, reviews, and photos in real time while I’m browsing a menu. This makes deciding what to order quicker and easier.

Why This Matters. For someone like me looking for convenience, Yelp is transforming from a simple discovery platform into a full-fledged transaction experience powered by AI. This means that while visibility remains important, businesses need to ensure they’re optimized for conversions right within the platform.

The Bigger Picture. By focusing on AI not just for discovery but also conversion, Yelp is turning intent into transactions without redirecting me elsewhere.

Looking Ahead. The assistant is now live on iOS and Android, with plans to expand further across more categories and desktop later this year.

The Future of Local Exploration. Yelp aims to own my entire local search journey from start to finish—from asking “where should I go?” to “it’s booked.”

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 21, 2026
Explore the World Conversationally with Google’s ‘Ask Maps’
I’ve always loved exploring new places, and now Google Maps is making it even more exciting with its new feature, ‘Ask Maps.’ This AI-powered addition transforms the way I interact with maps by allowing me to simply ask questions and receive personalized recommendations.

Google has introduced this conversational AI feature to assist us in navigating complex real-world queries. ‘Ask Maps’ leverages Google’s Gemini AI models to provide us with personalized, actionable answers tailored to our preferences and needs.

What’s new and exciting? Now, I can ask questions like, “Is there a public tennis court with lights that I can play at tonight?” or “My phone battery is low — where can I quickly charge it nearby?” The magic of ‘Ask Maps’ is in its ability to give me a conversational response complete with a custom map view.

Key capabilities include:
- Personalized recommendations — Google Maps remembers my search and save history, which means it knows I love vegan restaurants before I even ask!
- Trip planning — I can request recommended stops along my route and receive insightful details like directions, ETAs, and tips from over 500 million community contributors.
- Direct action — I love how I can book reservations, save interesting places, or easily share them with friends right from the response.
Why do I care? ‘Ask Maps’ is revolutionizing the way I discover places by shifting the focus from simple keyword searches to interactive, AI-driven recommendations. Businesses wanting to be noticed need rich, accurate, and engaging Google Maps profiles as this is the data utilized by Google’s AI for recommendation making.

What to keep an eye on: ‘Ask Maps’ is already being rolled out in the U.S. and India for both Android and iOS, with desktop access coming soon. I’m excited about these advancements!

What’s next? As AI plays a bigger role in how we find places, it’s crucial for advertisers and local businesses to keep their listings accurate and review-rich to make the most of Gemini’s capabilities. I’m looking forward to how this changes the landscape for businesses.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
March 12, 2026

1 2