> They probably realized they need to revamp their whole search
It’s not the UI that should scare them, but rather the fact that their business model relies on showing answers in a format that users don’t want and someone is now presenting that. It’s like a running a bakery during the Atkins low carb phase, except this isn’t a phase that will disappear and Google doesn’t know how not to be a bakery.
The “format” is the UI, that is what allows them to show ads. If they are forced to change the “format” to one single explanation or answer they cannot show ads like they do now and instead change their “UI” to be like chaptgpt’s. Which also means they have to change their advertising model fundamentally
It is deeper than what you are saying, which is the point of my post. Change the UI and the business model they rely on breaks. It isn’t a UI issue but a fundamental business model issue. Even if they wanted to change their model, there is zero chance they could replace that revenue quickly enough with different revenue. They are addicted to ad sales to the point where it is a wholesale reliance. Like an alcoholic that has a heart attack shortly after kicking alcohol, they can’t change now. They should have disrupted their own business ten years ago when the writing was on the wall.
To summarize: the UI is a symptom of the larger issue.
I tried to call explain the same thing to you that I was alluding and commenting on their business model to fundamentally change if the UI changes. It’s worse than the business model changing because from an end user perspective they will be chqnging to meet ChatGPT’s UI which will seem like much larger capitulation. I think we understand each other now though :)
It’s not the UI that should scare them, but rather the fact that their business model relies on showing answers in a format that users don’t want and someone is now presenting that. It’s like a running a bakery during the Atkins low carb phase, except this isn’t a phase that will disappear and Google doesn’t know how not to be a bakery.