Google’s new AI search experience produces broken results

Earlier this week, Google rolled out a new Search experience that alters how users interact with the web. This update prioritizes AI summaries—a new feature that generates text summaries of query results—while pushing the traditional “10 blue links,” which represent the traditional format of search engine results pages, far down the screen. The launch represents a significant shift in how the search engine presents information, moving away from the classic list of website links. However, the scale of Google Search means the company is already encountering edge cases. The new system is producing broken results for specific queries, raising questions about the rollout.

A clear example of this failure occurs when a user searches for the word “disregard.” The AI response generated for this specific search term provides no value to the user, functioning as a broken tool. While the search results still contain a link to Merriam-Webster, a dictionary publisher appearing in search results, the interface forces users to scroll past a block of empty space created by the AI summary. For many users, this empty block is the only thing visible on the screen initially, obscuring the actual dictionary source. This layout issue means that instead of getting a quick definition, users are presented with an unhelpful interface.

This issue highlights a divergence in how search engines are adopting artificial intelligence. For context, Bing, a competitor search engine, has been less aggressive with AI summaries compared to Google. When executing the same search for “disregard” on Bing, the platform provides more useful information to the user. While Bing’s results are not perfect, they still deliver functional value, contrasting with Google’s empty interface. The difference in search results demonstrates how a less aggressive approach to AI integration can sometimes yield a better user experience.

The breakdown has drawn attention from long-time industry observers. A professional tech journalist with nearly 15 years of experience as a professional tech journalist noted that this situation marks a notable shift in search quality. The journalist pointed out that before this rollout, a Bing search result had never proven more valuable than its Google equivalent. Reflecting on the outcome, the journalist remarked, “There really is a first time for everything!”

Why it matters

Google’s new AI-powered Search experience is producing broken results for specific queries like “disregard,” highlighting potential edge cases in the company’s new search rollout.