The new Google with Gemini is a launch awaited by many users, who saw the potential of this technology in chatGPT; but it is no less true that it was a shift feared by even more Internet users. This rejection of the new Google equipped with artificial intelligence is partly explained by a simple fear of change; There are people who want their applications to always work the same way and without changes, neither for better nor for worse.
What worries Google more are people open to new technologies, but more particularly They don’t want to have AI in search results. If the company is not careful, it risks disconnecting itself from its most loyal user base; In fact, you could say that’s exactly what’s happening now.
A “Google expert”‘s response to users complaining about the new search engine is an example of how Google’s relationship with users can quickly deteriorate. In recent days, Google’s official forums have been filled with complaints about users who want to revert to the old version of Google; and the answers leave a lot to be desired.
Specifically, one of the responses that received the most criticism was from Andrew Hatchett, a Gold-level “Google Expert” who, when asked to disable AI responses, responded with several actions that users can take. Most don’t really respond to questions and complaints (for example, they recommend tips for using Gemini’s AI), but the most controversial option is “Consider using alternative search engines”.
The expert specifies that if the user finds the AI responses intrusive, he could explore alternative search engines that don’t prioritize AI
Indeed, the “solution” to Google’s AI is simply to use another search engine. It’s shocking that such an option is considered a possibility, when traditionally Google’s goal is to create a website for everyone; It is not in vain, throughout its history there have been several applications to perform the same function (although many have closed).
It should be noted that this This is not an official answer from Google. Technically, “Google Experts” are not employees of the company, but rather conventional users who participate in a rewards program to help other users. However, the experts have a special connection to the company, including virtual meetings with Google employees at high levels such as Gold. Additionally, this expert’s answer was highlighted in the official forums and represents the “end point”, as it assumes. that the question is closed when it is considered “answered”.
This response is therefore the closest thing to an official statement from the company, without being one. And that’s worrying. It’s not just that more and more users are fed up with AI and want to go back to the “old Internet”; is that these changes can cause an earthquake on the web, since Google is the main source of traffic for billions of pages and media.