SGE · Search Generative Experience
SGE (Search Generative Experience) is the original name of AI Overviews during their test phase, in 2023 and 2024. The term has been obsolete since the rebranding to AI Overviews, but is still used out of habit in articles and tools.
Standalone definition · 41 words
What was SGE?
An experimental Search Labs experience that showed a generative summary above the results. After the test, Google rolled the feature out as AI Overviews. Analyses from before that change speak of SGE.
SGE or AI Overviews: what should you say today?
Use AI Overviews for the production feature, and keep SGE for historical references. AI Overviews have been available in France since July 22, 2026, after other markets.
Why is the term still used?
Older publications, tools and SEO queries still use SGE. For GEO, that means harmonizing vocabulary in reports and checking that an older data point labeled SGE really matches today’s AI Overviews.
Frequently asked questions
Are SGE and AI Overviews the same?
AI Overviews are the rolled-out version of what was called SGE in testing.
And AI Mode?
It is a distinct surface, activated by the user.
Should I still optimize for SGE?
No, optimize for AI Overviews.