Google enhances Circle to Search with AI Overviews, new features

Google’s Circle to Search feature is receiving significant updates including AI-powered summaries and streamlined actions for contact information and web links.

Core updates: Circle to Search, a tool that enables users to initiate Google searches by highlighting screen content, now incorporates AI Overviews and one-tap functionality for common actions.

• The feature allows users to activate searches by long-pressing the navigation pill or home button and then circling, scribbling, or tapping on screen content
• AI Overviews will now provide AI-generated summaries alongside traditional search results
• New one-tap actions enable immediate interaction with phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs

Technical enhancements: The integration of AI Overviews represents a significant evolution from the feature’s original functionality, which was limited to basic Google Search results.

• AI-generated summaries will help users identify places, trending images, and unique objects
• The system includes embedded links for users seeking additional information
• The implementation builds upon Google’s existing AI Overview technology, which has shown varying degrees of success in standard search

Availability and deployment: The enhanced Circle to Search capabilities are being rolled out broadly across compatible Android devices.

• Updates will be available on all Android phones that support Circle to Search, not exclusively on Galaxy S25 or Pixel devices
• Initial release will be limited to English language users
• The feature’s expansion coincides with Samsung’s decision to make Google’s Gemini the default assistant on the Galaxy S25 series

Looking forward: While these updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to evolving search functionality, their success will largely depend on user adoption and the accuracy of AI-generated summaries in real-world applications.