"Google is testing an option to read aloud the AI Overviews by clicking on a speaker icon at the top of the AI Overview within Google Search. And the crazy thing, this is being tested in the US. Glenn Gabe, who is based in the United States, spotted this and posted about it on X a couple of weeks ago and he still sees it pop up here and there for AI Overviews."
"I have now seen the audio icon test in AI Overviews three separate times over the past week or so. Gemini reads the AIO response when it loads (without me having to trigger it). Then you can play it again by tapping the icon. And note, this is NOT the 'Audio Overview' feature... https://t.co/W955lxsHie pic.twitter.com/c8X9xbOTL- Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) December 26, 2025"
"Another twist with the audio icon in AIOs. If you use voice search, you have a greater chance at seeing the audio option (at least based on my testing). That makes sense since you are going to get an audio response so Google is adding the audio icon -- with the ability to pause... https://t.co/zB20dqsrPG- Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) December 29, 2025 But again, it is weird it is showing up for folks in the US."
Google is testing a speaker-icon read-aloud option for AI Overviews in United States search results. The speaker icon appears at the top of the AI Overview and can be tapped to play the overview audio. Gemini can automatically read the AIO response when the overview loads, and users can replay or pause the audio via the icon. The listen feature has appeared previously in other countries and for other search elements such as featured snippets and local panels. Use of voice search appears to increase the likelihood of the audio option appearing. The feature is currently being observed intermittently by some users.
Read at Search Engine Roundtable
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