A New Model for Voice and Camera Search
Google has released its Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking models, and Gemini 3.8 Live is now powering Search Live in the Google app.
Search Live is Google’s real-time, conversational way to search, where people talk to Search and can point their camera at something to ask about it, rather than typing a query. Upgrading the model behind it signals that Google is continuing to invest heavily in search that looks and feels like a conversation.
Why It Matters
Voice and visual search change what a “query” looks like. People speaking to Search tend to ask longer, more natural questions, and people using the camera are often asking about a specific product, place or problem in front of them.
For businesses, that shifts the emphasis towards being the clear, trusted answer to specific real-world questions, and towards having accurate information about products and locations that Google can draw on in the moment.
What You Should Do
Write content that answers questions the way people actually ask them out loud, with clear, direct responses near the top of the page.
For local businesses, keep your Google Business Profile complete and current, because conversational search leans heavily on it. For product brands, make sure images, product data and descriptions are accurate and specific, so a visual search leads to you rather than a competitor. Our local SEO team can make sure your business profile and location data are ready.
