Google is testing new Gemini animations for its AI Overviews feature

Google is testing a new loading animation for AI Overviews in Search that aligns with its Gemini AI interface, featuring enhanced visual elements and updated loading text sequences.

Key changes in the animation: The new animation introduces a distinct visual sequence that differs from the current version’s more subtle approach.

• The updated design immediately displays “Generating…” followed by “Looking this up” and “Putting it all together”
• A blue and purple spotlight effect pulses through the rectangular container, creating a visual connection to the Gemini AI system
• The interface includes a prominent label stating “Generative AI is experimental”

Technical specifications: The animation represents a significant shift in how Google presents its AI-powered search features.

• Users see either a Gemini sparkle with “AI Overview” or a beaker icon with “Search Labs | AI Overview” for beta program participants
• The new animation appears to operate slightly slower than the stable version, possibly due to enhanced processing capabilities
• The visual style matches the Gemini overlay design seen on Android devices and Gemini Live

Broader context: This update may signal more significant changes to Google’s AI search capabilities.

• The new animation could be linked to the upcoming release of Gemini 2.0
• Google has already begun testing the new model for AI Overviews in Search
• The company states Gemini 2.0 will offer improved reasoning capabilities for complex topics, math equations, multimodal queries, and coding

Implementation status: The rollout appears to be in a limited testing phase.

• Multiple users have reported seeing the new animation
• The feature has not yet been deployed universally across the platform
• The update coincides with Google’s expansion of AI Overviews to 100 countries and its integration into unsigned search results

Looking ahead: While this animation update might seem purely cosmetic, it potentially signals Google’s preparation for a more substantial evolution in its search capabilities with Gemini 2.0, expected to launch early next year. The more prominent visual elements and explicit connection to Gemini suggest Google is working to make its AI capabilities more visible and distinctive to users.