GLOSSARY

Google’s experimental Search Labs designation for generative-AI features in Search; it is now a legacy or transitional term associated with the development of AI Overviews and subsequent AI search experiences.

Understanding the transition from SGE to AI Overviews helps search and content teams interpret older reporting, articles, and strategy documents without confusing an experiment name with current product terminology.

An SEO audit updates references that describe SGE as a current product, preserves the acronym as an alias for historical search, and links readers to current coverage of AI Overviews and generative search.

SGE is not synonymous with Generative Engine Optimization, all generative search, or every Google AI search feature. Product names, interfaces, availability, and behaviour continue to change by market and account.

SGE combined generated answer snapshots with links and follow-up interactions inside Google Search. Google introduced the experiment through Search Labs and later launched AI Overviews as a production feature. SGE should therefore be documented historically rather than treated as the current name of a permanent optimisation discipline.