What's the difference between Bard and Google Search? On the surface, they seem pretty similar. Both are web-based services featuring a search box into which you type any question you like. However, the ways they arrive at their answers are very different – as well as their potential use cases. How is Bard different to Google Search? Let's solve this mystery.

How is Bard different from Google Search? A Comprehensive Comparison

Purpose and Functionality

Google Bard and Google Search serve distinct purposes. While Google Search remains the go-to option for researching specific topics, shopping, or seeking summaries, Google Bard is designed for more creative collaboration.

Trained on Google’s latest LLM (Large Language Model) PaLM2, Google Bard functions as a conversational AI chatbot, akin to ChatGPT. It’s ideal for creative tasks like generating captions for images or crafting unique content.

The tech giant replaced LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) with PaLM 2 (Pathways Language Model, version 2) in May 2023.

Essential AI Tools

Generative Capabilities

Google’s announcement at Google I/O 2023 introduced a blend of both Google Bard and Google Search, known as the search generative experience. This integration means that Google will auto-detect where a generative AI output, powered by the large language model GPT-4, will be more suitable.

In scenarios where an AI answer is preferred, the generative response will appear at the top of the search results, followed by traditional Google search links. For example, asking about California’s best places to visit will show an AI-generated response first, while a weather query will display the standard 8-day forecast.

Real-Time Responses and Creative Collaboration

Google Bard’s artificial intelligence enables real-time, creative collaboration, making it a valuable tool for content creators, bloggers, and even Gmail users. Its natural language processing capabilities allow it to engage in meaningful dialogues and provide insightful responses to prompts. Unlike Bing chat or traditional search engines, Google Bard offers a more interactive and personalized internet experience.

The Future of Search and Interaction

The integration of Google Bard with traditional Google Search marks a significant step in the evolution of search engines. By leveraging the power of large language models like GPT-4 and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google is redefining how users interact with the internet.

Whether it’s blog posts, creative writing, or simply seeking information, the combination of Google Bard and Google Search promises a more dynamic and engaging experience for users.

Conclusion

The introduction of Google Bard represents a new era in search technology. By blending the capabilities of traditional Google Search with the innovative features of a conversational AI chatbot, Google is paving the way for a more interactive and personalized search experience. Whether you’re a casual internet user or a professional content creator, understanding the differences and potential applications of Google Bard can help you navigate this exciting new landscape.

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FAQs

Can I try Google Search AI now?

The new Google Search AI is yet in the testing phase. So it is not publicly available to everyone. Google plans to roll out Google Search AI in the coming weeks, with access given to a few users via a waitlist.

Can I try Google Bard now?

Yes, Google Bard was made publicly available in the US and UK on 21 March 2023. Besides the US and UK, Google Bard is available in 138 more countries.

Is Bard better than Bing?

Microsoft and Google are the most prominent names in the search engine field. However, Google holds the most active daily users share. To increase its users, Microsoft launched the new AI-powered Bing features. And it paid off; Microsoft Bing reached 100 million active users after the launch of the Microsoft AI Bing. With Microsoft AI Bing garnering new active users, Google also implemented AI in its search engine. But Google already has its conversational AI, Google Bard. Both of these currently excel in multimodal features like text-to-image and image-to-text beyond the free version of ChatGPT.

About the Author

Maria Redillas

Maria is a contributer to PC Guide, highly-interested in productivity and AI tools, and ensuring the inclusion of detailed product info and coverage across versus pieces.