Meta’s AI assistant, powered by the new Llama 3 model, will now incorporate real-time search results from Google and Bing.
This integration marks a step forward in the capabilities of the AI assistant and its potential impact on the search industry.
You can access Meta AI on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and the recently launched Meta.ai desktop experience.
Google and Bing + Meta search
Meta is integrating Google and Bing results directly into its AI assistant.
Instead of relying solely on training data or a single search engine, Meta’s AI assistant intelligently selects and displays results from either Google or Bing, depending on the query.
This provides users with a more comprehensive and diverse range of information.
From my limited testing prior to writing this piece, I could only get Meta AI to search with Bing. I’m not sure what criteria or conditions would make me use Bing versus Google for web searches.
Here’s an example that shows it’s able to provide up-to-date information:
Seamless search between apps
Meta’s new search experience lets you access relevant information without switching platforms.
For example, while planning a trip in a Messenger group chat, you can ask the assistant to search for flights and determine the least crowded weekends to travel.
Screenshot from: about.fb.com/news/, April 2024.
Meta is taking a multi-pronged approach to making its AI assistant a constant presence across its family of apps:
Integration into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger search boxes Appear directly in the main Facebook feed to reply to posts A new meta.ai website where users can log in to have ongoing conversations Real-time text-to-image generation with an “Imagine” feature on WhatsApp Future integration with Meta’s VR headsets and smart glasses
More information on these initiatives is available at Meta’s announcement.
Implications for search engine optimization
Integrating Google and Bing search results into the Meta AI Assistant has potential SEO implications.
As AI chatbots become more popular for finding information, the visibility of built-in search results will become more valuable to publishers.
SEO strategies may need to evolve to accommodate traditional search engines and AI assistants.
This could involve a greater focus on satisfying conversational queries that reflect how users interact with chatbots.
A changing landscape
Meta’s move to integrate Google and Bing search results into its AI assistant highlights the evolving nature of the search industry.
As the lines between traditional search and conversational AI continue to blur, companies are vying for dominance.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed ambitious plans for the AI assistant, aiming to make it the smartest and most widely accessible AI tool available.
With the release of the powerful Flame 3 model and incorporating search results from major search engines, Meta is positioning itself as one of the top contenders in the AI chatbot market.
Frequently asked questions
How is Meta’s AI Assistant changing the way we interact with search engines?
Meta’s AI Assistant is transforming the search engine experience by integrating Google and Bing search results, simplifying access to information across multiple platforms.
Users can search directly through Meta’s AI assistant on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. This integration enables real-time information retrieval and a conversational interface that aligns with how users increasingly prefer to find and interact with online content.
By addressing conversational queries and reducing the need to switch platforms, Meta’s AI Assistant can shift the focus of SEO strategies to meet these user interactions.
What new features does Meta’s AI Assistant offer?
Meta’s AI Assistant offers several unique features to create a seamless search experience alongside live search results from Google and Bing.
These features include:
Integration with the search functions of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. The ability to interact with posts directly on the Facebook feed. Access to the meta.ai desktop experience for ongoing conversations. Real-time text-to-image generation using WhatsApp’s “Imagine” feature. Planned future integration with virtual reality headsets and smart glasses from Meta.
Featured Image: Screenshot from about.fb.com/news/, April 2024
