Australia, Ready or Not: The New Google Search is Coming

 A major shake-up in how people find what they need online is rolling out! Forget the dusty old list of blue links, Google is turning search into something faster, smarter, and eerily human. 

Google the new search experience has now launched in the UK and India, and Australia is next in line! Sitting back and waiting isn’t a strategy - it’s time to get moving.

So, what actually is the new search experience? 

Imagine Google with the brains of a researcher, the memory of a local guide, and the sass of a personal assistant. Instead of spitting out random pages, it:

• Breaks your question into steps
• Pulls info from multiple sources at once
• Returns one clean, useful answer 

Here’s the type of query it lives for:

I’m hosting a 40th birthday in Byron Bay. We want surf lessons, a beach house with a pool, live music options, and a reliable babysitter. What’s the plan?

Instead of hours of hunting through forums, blogs, and dodgy reviews, you’d get:

A ready-made itinerary, venue options, childcare leads, and even a Spotify playlist for the party.

Done and dusted.

Who already has it? 

• United States (June 2025)
• India (July 2025)
• United Kingdom (July 30, 2025)

It’s integrated directly into Google Search and the app — no sign-up, no opt-in.

Australia? Not yet. But since a preview version (AI Overviews) has already been tested here since late 2024, it’s only a matter of months.

How to Get Ahead (Before It Gets Here)

If you’re holding off until the rollout begins, you’re already a step behind. Here’s how to get moving while others are still stuck in the weeds.

1. Write for Humans, Not Robots 

Google’s bored of “Best lawyer Sydney.”

It now prefers:

Who’s the best lawyer in Sydney to help with a messy divorce that won’t drain my bank account?

Write the way people actually ask questions. That’s what gets picked up.

2. Depth Beats Clickbait 

Be the brand that answers properly. If you’re a wedding planner, don’t just say “Top venues in Melbourne” - ensure you cover the average costs, best seasons, council permits, vendor red flags, and honeymoon add-ons.

The deeper your answers, the more Google trusts you, and the more your customers will! 

3. Think Out Loud 

If your content doesn’t sound like something you’d say at the pub, it probably won’t fly!

Read it out loud - if it’s dull, rewrite it. 

And remember: voice search = mobile-first. If your site wheezes on a phone, you’re toast.

4. Get Nerdy with Schema 

Structured data is your backstage pass. While it may not be your favourite part, it’s essential! Use schema for:

• FAQs
• Products
• Reviews
• Local businesses
• Events

Don’t love code? Outsource it. But don’t ignore it.

5. Fix Your Foundations

The new search experience won’t even glance your way if your site’s foundations aren’t solid. Yes, the unglamorous, behind-the-scenes stuff you probably don’t brag about at parties.

Your non-negotiable checklist:

• Core Web Vitals in the green
• Fast, reliable mobile performance
• No dead links or messy redirects
• HTTPS locked down
• Fresh, accurate sitemap
• Clean, logical URL structure

It’s digital hygiene. Not exciting, but absolutely essential. Get it sorted.

6. Be Seen, Not Ghosted 

Google still loves EEAT: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust. 

Translation? Invisible, generic content is dead on arrival.

Who are you? What do you bring to the table? Why should readers care? 

Wear your credentials proudly, or risk vanishing into the algorithm void.

7. Think Like an Architect 

Google’s Knowledge Graph thrives on structure. The clearer your site is, the easier it is to connect the dots.

• Use descriptive, human-friendly URLs
• Organise content by theme
• Link related pages logically
• Use breadcrumbs
• Stick to naming conventions 

Make it simple for Google to see how everything fits together.

You Might Have Guessed It. Yes, It’s a Big Deal

This isn’t just another Google tweak; it’s a total overhaul of how search works. When it hits Australia, the winners will be the ones with content that’s clear, helpful, and built properly.

Still leaning on dusty old SEO tricks? Hate to say it, but that’s ancient history.

Give It a Test Drive

Can’t wait? Jump on a VPN, switch to the UK, and poke around. Search like your customers would. See what pops up, take notes, and then start adjusting your own content before the rollout sneaks up.

  Author: Ian Hopkinson 

    Digital Madman, Founder of Terminology and Mad Scientist Digital

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