Google tests AI-generated headlines in search results, replacing titles written by publishers without disclosure

Google is running an experiment in its traditional search results that replaces publisher-written headlines with AI-generated alternatives, with multiple staff members at The Verge confirming they have seen their headlines swapped out without any indication of the change. Google spokespeople described it as a “small” and “narrow” test aimed at better matching page titles to user queries, but declined to specify its scale, and confirmed the test uses generative AI while claiming any future launch would not rely on a generative model. The move follows Google's earlier rollout of AI-generated headlines in Google Discover, which the company initially called an experiment before declaring it a permanent feature one month later.