Google’s Search dominance has been a target for regulators, with the FTC and DOJ working to end Google’s Search monopoly. However, Google faces competition not just from regulators but also from rivals like ChatGPT. Despite offering AI features like AI Overviews, Google is now testing a new feature called Discussions within its Search platform.
Google has rolled out the Discussions feature in beta on the mobile version of Search. Users in the US searching for a “team vs team” query can now see a Discussions tab where they can leave comments. This feature is displayed alongside sports-related information such as scores and upcoming matches.
Users can comment using their Google account, with their name and profile picture visible alongside their comment in the discussion thread. Other users can interact by upvoting, downvoting, and replying to comments, similar to platforms like Reddit.
Users also have the option to filter comments to view top comments or see all comments in the discussion thread. Clicking on a user will take you to their Discussions profile, where you can see all their posts.
The feature has great potential to become popular among users, especially sports fans. While the purpose of the Discussions feature is still unclear as it remains in beta on the mobile app, integrating it with sports content is a smart move considering the social aspect of sports discussions.
Overall, Google’s new Discussions feature within Search has the potential to revolutionize how users engage with content and each other on the platform. It will be interesting to see how this feature evolves and whether it becomes a staple in the Google Search experience.