Google Expands Health AI, Retires ‘What People Suggest’

Google continues to refine its approach to health information online, shifting resources from one experimental feature to new tools aimed at improving accessibility and reliability. The company recently confirmed the retirement of its “What People Suggest” search feature, which used artificial intelligence to curate health perspectives from online forums. This move coincides with new announcements from Google’s annual Check Up event, highlighting a strategic pivot toward different AI-powered health initiatives on platforms like YouTube and Fitbit.

A company spokesperson described the removal as part of a broader effort to simplify search results, emphasizing that the decision was not related to concerns over the feature’s quality or safety. The tool, which launched on mobile devices in the U.S. last year, was designed to let users see discussions from others with similar health experiences. Its discontinuation follows a trial period, as reported by sources familiar with the matter.

The spotlight at this year’s Check Up event fell on new AI integrations, particularly for YouTube, where health-related content has garnered over one trillion global views. A new “Ask” button will appear on eligible health videos, allowing viewers to interact with the content through an AI assistant. Google is also testing AI systems to help organize complex, peer-reviewed scientific information for general audiences. Dr. Michael Howell, Google’s current chief health officer, noted that a core challenge remains connecting people with accurate health information precisely when they need it.

Beyond consumer tools, Google.org is committing $10 million to fund organizations focused on reimagining clinician education for the age of AI. Initial partners include the Council of Medical Specialty Societies and the American Academy of Nursing. This investment underscores a parallel focus on supporting medical professionals alongside public-facing tools.

These developments occur against a backdrop of ongoing adjustments to Google’s health AI offerings. Earlier this year, the company faced scrutiny over its AI Overviews for medical queries, leading to the removal of these summaries for specific searches like those concerning liver function tests. The now-retired “What People Suggest” feature had launched during a period of rapid expansion for AI Overviews in health. Data from last November indicated that medical queries, which fall into Google’s “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) category, triggered AI Overviews at a notably high rate.

YouTube’s growing influence in this space is particularly significant. Research analyzing health queries found that YouTube was the most frequently cited source in AI Overviews in one studied market, appearing more often than official medical or government websites. The introduction of interactive AI features directly on these videos could further cement the platform’s role as a primary health information source.

The past year suggests a trend toward implementing stricter controls around certain health AI experiences, though Google’s history indicates that such strategies can evolve rapidly. The removal of one feature and the bolstering of others on YouTube point to an ongoing, dynamic recalibration of how AI is deployed for sensitive health information, balancing public access with responsible presentation.

(Source: Search Engine Journal)