Google launches Audio Reviews: a new format for AI-enabled news consumption

Google has announced the launch of an experimental Audio Reviews feature in the search engine. The new tool is designed to generate short audio summaries of news and articles based on user queries. The feature is implemented using Gemini artificial intelligence models and is available to a limited number of users as part of the Google Labs program.

Audio Reviews was first introduced in the NotebookLM project — an intelligent assistant for creating notes and analytical materials. Now the technology is integrated into the search engine and is designed to offer the audience a convenient format for quickly getting acquainted with key facts.

The function's interface includes a standard audio player with playback control buttons, volume and speed controls. Google provides transparency in resume generation by providing links to the sources used. To evaluate the quality of reviews, a feedback system is provided with the ability to put "like" and "dislike" marks, which will improve the algorithms.

Previously, NotebookLM used "Audio Reviews" to create podcasts with virtual hosts based on documents — from training materials to legal opinions. In March, Google integrated the feature into the Gemini platform, where it became a development of AI Overviews-text summaries of search queries generated by AI.

The new format is aimed at users who prefer audio content or need more accessible ways to get information. The introduction of the feature coincided with reports that AI Overviews technologies can influence the traffic of news sites, reducing the number of clicks on original publications.