Project Magi – Google’s Answer to ChatGPT

Google, the leading search engine, is racing to build an all-new search engine to keep up with the newest A.I. technology of its rivals. The threat comes from companies such as Samsung, which are considering replacing Google with Microsoft’s Bing as their default search engine due to Bing’s recent incorporation of new A.I. technology. The Samsung contract is estimated to be worth $3 billion in annual revenue, with a similar $20 billion Apple contract up for renewal later in the year. Google’s new search engine is set to provide a personalized experience, using the project name Magi, to anticipate users’ needs. However, not all brainstorm ideas are guaranteed a launch, but Google has confirmed that new A.I.-powered features will be coming to its search engine soon.

Before we continue, if this is too complicated, I asked ChatGPT to explain everything like I’m 5 (ELI5), and here’s what it came up with, pretty good:

Google is making a new search engine that will talk to people like a friend. It’s like asking a question and getting an answer from a person. The new search engine will also help people buy things, like shoes or plane tickets. This means there will be some changes to how ads work, but there will still be ads. People who make websites can make changes so that the new search engine will show their products and services. These changes will make more people use Google but reduce the number of visitors websites get.

ChatGPT. (2023, April 17). Prompt: “Explain this article like I’m 5, and in a single paragraph, thanks.”

Google’s search engine is the most widely used webpage globally. People use it for a variety of reasons, from finding restaurants and directions to understanding medical diagnosis. Google’s simple white page with its logo and an empty bar has been difficult to challenge, and until recently, it was hard to imagine anything being able to do so. But A.I.-powered competitors such as ChatGPT, Bing, Bard, and Ernie are posing a threat to Google’s search business.

Google created a task force in its search division to start building A.I. products after San Francisco start-up OpenAI demonstrated a chatbot called ChatGPT in November, working in partnership with Microsoft. Google’s obsession with modernizing its search engine has become crucial, and its new search engine will enable new A.I. technology to reach phones and homes worldwide.

The new A.I. technology will be a significant change for Google’s users, who are used to the traditional search engine. Google’s new search engine will use an algorithm that provides users with a personalized experience, allowing it to anticipate their needs. For example, if a user searches for a particular type of food, the search engine will bring up local restaurants that offer it. However, this is just one of the many brainstorm ideas that Google is currently testing, and not all of them will make it to launch.

One of the significant threats to Google’s search business is from Microsoft’s Bing. Bing has always been a search engine also-ran, but recently it incorporated new A.I. technology, making it more appealing to industry insiders. Samsung is considering replacing Google with Bing as its default search engine. Google’s internal messages reviewed by The New York Times revealed that the company reacted to the Samsung threat with “panic,” given that an estimated $3 billion in annual revenue is at stake.

In response to the competition, Google is racing to build an all-new search engine powered by the latest A.I. technology. The new features, which will be under the project name Magi, are being designed and tested by engineers, designers, and executives in so-called sprint rooms. The company is also upgrading its current search engine with new A.I. features, as revealed by internal documents reviewed by The Times.

Google’s search business was worth $162 billion last year, making it a significant part of the company’s overall revenue. The potential loss of revenue from losing contracts with Samsung and Apple would be substantial. Google’s current search engine is one of the most widely used web pages in the world. As such, any changes to it would have a significant impact on the lives of ordinary people.

My Thoughts

As an SEO and someone who runs a portfolio of websites, I find the proposed changes concerning. With the introduction of Project Magi, Google’s new search engine, users will be able to get their queries answered without necessarily having to click through to websites. This means that websites could see a significant decrease in traffic and clicks, which could ultimately impact their revenue and overall success.

The predicted impact of going from 30% to 3% click-through rate (CTR) is a drastic drop, and it’s crucial for SEOs and website owners to stay aware of the changes and adjust their strategies accordingly. One way to prepare for this shift is to optimize your site to show up in Project Magi’s search results, so your products and services are visible to users. Additionally, focusing on other forms of digital marketing such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising can help mitigate the impact of reduced clicks from Google search results.

Overall, it’s important to keep a close eye on how these changes will impact your website’s performance and be prepared to adapt your strategy accordingly.

Reporters and media companies: if you have any follow up questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me via Twitter to get my thoughts.