The Keyword

Group effort: How we helped launch an NYC vaccine site

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

In March 2021, Google initiated a considerable project: helping to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to New Yorkers in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

Google’s New York City office is located in Chelsea, and the neighborhood is also the home to two New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, the Fulton Houses and the Elliott-Chelsea Houses. The city had identified NYCHA residents as hard-to-reach populations for vaccines — so to help, Google provided a total of more than $1 million in resources to the city to support more vaccine education and to Hudson Guild toward the creation of a local vaccination center.

“Google recognizes that equitable population vaccination is a complex problem to solve,” says Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief health officer, “and we’re committed to doing our part.” That commitment led us to partnering with the Hudson Guild, a local nonprofit founded in 1895. Hudson Guild, which Google has worked with as a community partner for more than a decade, is a settlement house that serves 14,000 New Yorkers every year, mostly members of the Chelsea community. The nonprofit has a special relationship with local residents, and organizers and volunteers have taken their grassroots, one-on-one approach to make sure residents have the information and support they need to get vaccinated.

“The reputation you have in the community means everything. Residents who were very hesitant to get the vaccines eventually came around because we took the time to explain the science, give them reliable information and build trust,” says LeeAnn Scaduto, Hudson Guild’s chief operating officer.

From left to right: Googlers Connie Choi, David Goodman, Dale Allsopp, Duncan Wood, Hudson Guild's Daisy Mendoza, Googlers Wenjie Sun and Thomas Coleman

“We’ve been able to be a consistent force in the neighborhood,” says Daisy Mendoza, director of community building for Hudson Guild. She says the team has walked the streets of the communities daily, knocked on doors, made phone calls and even stopped by local businesses to encourage owners and workers to get vaccinated. “The residents see us everyday and know we care about them,” Daisy says.

Googlers got involved in this grassroots effort, too — knocking on doors, helping in the registration efforts and serving as translators to help the vaccination site get up and running. “Many people were still isolating at that time,” says Stavroula Maliarou, a program manager at Google who helped organize the volunteer efforts. “There was a fear of being close to people who could potentially be sick. But so many Googlers showed up to help in any way they could. We know this community — and we knew they needed our help, especially at that moment.”

Of course, there were challenges. The Hudson Guild organizers said they’ve had to combat vaccine hesitancy and residents’ lack of access to technology. But they’ve overcome these obstacles thanks to relying on community volunteers and Hudson Guild staff to share information in plain language, dispel misinformation and make the vaccination process as simple as possible for recipients.

Since April 7, 2021, Hudson Guild’s Fulton Vaccine Hub, funded in part by Google, has helped vaccinate 21,250 people, 1,700 of whom are NYCHA residents. The vaccination site has been so successful it was initially extended to October 2021, and then extended indefinitely to continue bringing vaccines and boosters to the local neighborhood.

“Without Google’s help, this isn’t something we would have been able to do — this isn’t our area of expertise,” LeeAnn says. “Google gave us the opportunity to be part of the solution in a really meaningful way for our community. This allowed us to really find a solution that worked.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Hudson Guild and helping those who live, work or go to school in Chelsea and the west side of New York City, with a focus on those in need, visit hudsonguild.org.

Create a work of heart on Valentine's Day with Google

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Every February, I tell myself I’m going to make homemade Valentine’s Day cards for my family and friends…and every February 13, I realize I’m nearly out of time. Add the fact that these days it’s ultimately easier to deliver digital gifts, and I’m ready to give up on the whole thing.

This year I’ve come up with a few new ideas, courtesy of apps and tools from Google. They might be made for the office or school, but there are some truly impressive ways you can use these apps for your creative endeavors. Here are five ways you can make Valentines with Google products.

Use Google Sheets to make some lovely pixel art (emphasis on love). You might think of invoices and project tracking when you think of Google Sheets, but it can also be a pixel art palette. These can be as simple or as complex as you want — do it yourself by selecting and coloring in Sheets cells to make an image, or search the Google Workspace Marketplace by hitting the right-hand sidebar and selecting “add ons.” (If words are more your thing, you could even try making a cute crossword puzzle.)

2. Create a digital card with Google Slides. This is an especially useful option if you aren’t able to see someone on Valentine’s Day. Make a digital slideshow full of photos, videos and notes; then you can either send the file or publish it to the web.

3. Set up a shared library with Google Photos. Use partner sharing in Google Photos to create a shared library of photos and videos for you and your better half. You can choose if you want to share all your photos or just shots of specific loved ones or pets, as well as the date you want to start sharing and Google Photos will automatically take care of the rest.

4. Send a fun Google Form to your partner. More than a couple of Google Forms used for dating purposes have gone viral, and you can put your own spin on one for the big day. Be sure to check out the Template gallery to find a look you like, or add your own images and choose a different font to make your form stand out.

5. Reminisce on romantic trips with Google Maps. Feeling nostalgic? Take a walk down memory lane with the Trips tab in Timeline to see all of the places — from beaches to cute cafes - that you visited on your last vacay.

6. Get some material from Google Assistant. Ask Google Assistant how to say “I love you” in another language, or ask for a Valentine’s Day joke or a “fact about love” to impress someone.

Or maybe you’re more interested in watching a few rom-coms on February 14. According to Google Trends, the most-searched types of romantic movies in the U.S. since 2004 are:

Teen romance movies
Black romance movies
Romance comedy movies
Sad romance movies
Christmas romance movies

You could take some inspiration from a few of Google Search’s trending Valentine’s Day terms from the past week — like “chick fil a valentines day tray” (+1,650%), “valentine lovebirds lego” (+600%) or “valentines crocs” (+400%). A few more breakout terms from the past month include: “valentines converse,” “starbucks valentines 2022,” “valentines coloring pages” and “nike valentines day shoes 2022.”

And if you’re still not quite sure how to celebrate, there’s one fail-safe option: chocolate. According to Google Trends, Godiva just barely took the lead over Ghiradelli in search interest in the U.S. this past week.

Also in the U.S., Google Maps searches for flower shops spike nearly 120% leading up to February 14. And if you’re thinking about celebrating with a date night…maybe start planning early: In the U.S., February 13 marks the day people most use Google Maps to search for “romantic restaurants.”

Celebrating Black women founders working in STEM

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

As a woman fintech founder in London in the early 2010s, I felt like an anomaly: The intersection of science, tech and finance didn’t necessarily attract the most gender-diverse talent. Ten years later, there’s still work to be done. As a well-educated white woman — albeit an immigrant — I shouldn’t stand out in the tech industry, but still only2.3% of all global venture capital goes to women-led companies.

Change won’t be meaningful if it doesn’t impact all women. Women of color are among the most talented founders I’ve met, and yet data shows they are disproportionately disadvantaged when it comes to securing investors and support. By creating opportunities for everyone, initiatives like the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund are closing the tech and science equality gap.

ThisInternational Day of Women and Girls in Science, meet six women Black Founders Fund recipients from around the world who are paving the way in STEM and the startup ecosystem.

The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund provides cash awards — without giving up equity in return — and hands-on support to help Black entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Learn more about the 200+ recipients from around the world.

The path forward with the Privacy Sandbox

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Google’s aim with the Privacy Sandbox is to improve web privacy for people around the world, while also giving publishers, creators and other developers the tools they need to build thriving businesses. This includes building new digital advertising tools, in collaboration with the wider industry, to replace third-party cookies with alternatives that better protect consumer privacy and preserve peoples’ access to free content online.

Since announcing the Privacy Sandbox we have been in open dialogue with the industry, consumer advocates and regulators to gather feedback on this initiative. Over the past year, we have also worked closely with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), including on a set of legally-binding commitments to address the CMA’s competition concerns over the Privacy Sandbox which will govern how we will design and implement this initiative. The aim, through this regulatory oversight and supervision, is to provide reassurance that the Privacy Sandbox will protect consumers and support a competitive ad-funded web, and not favor Google.

The commitments address these concerns through three main principles. First, the changes we will make in Chrome in the context of the Privacy Sandbox initiative will apply in the same way to Google’s advertising products as to products from other companies. Second, we will design, develop and implement Privacy Sandbox with regulatory oversight and input from the CMA and the ICO. And third, we will inform the CMA in advance of our intention to remove third-party cookies and agree to wait for their feedback on whether any competition law concerns remain.

Privacy by design and by default have been at the heart of the Privacy Sandbox from the outset, and we are also intent on ensuring that the new tools meet the requirements set out in the recent ICO’s Opinion on Data protection and privacy expectations for online advertising proposals. To that end, we are designing these new tools to avoid cross-site tracking, provide people with better transparency and control, and result in better outcomes for people and businesses on the web. We look forward to further engagement with data protection authorities as we continue to iterate and improve on the proposals.

We’re pleased that today the CMA has accepted these commitments, which now go into immediate effect. The development and implementation criteria that underpin these commitments are summarized below, and can be found in full on the CMA’s website. We will apply the commitments globally because we believe that they provide a roadmap for how to address both privacy and competition concerns in this evolving sector.

Respecting user privacy while maintaining a well functioning ad-funded web

Google’s objectives in developing the Privacy Sandbox proposals are to make the web more private and secure for people, while:

Supporting the ability of publishers to generate revenue from advertising inventory and the ability of advertisers to secure value for money from advertising spend;
Supporting a good user experience when navigating the web, including in relation to digital advertising;
Providing users with substantial transparency and control in relation to their data as they browse the web; and
Not distorting competition between Google’s own advertising products and services and those of other market participants.

We recognize that many publishers and advertisers rely on online advertising to fund their websites and reach new customers. So building tools which aim to improve people’s privacy, while continuing to support advertising, is key to keeping the web open and accessible to everyone and allowing businesses of all sizes to succeed.

Developing the Privacy Sandbox

To achieve the objectives above, Google is committing to designing, developing and implementing the Privacy Sandbox proposals taking into account specific criteria agreed with the CMA:

The impact on privacy outcomes and compliance with privacy laws;
The impact on competition in digital advertising between Google and other market participants, and, in particular, the risk of distortion to competition;
The impact on publishers (including their ability to generate revenue from ad inventory) and advertisers;
The impact on user experience (e.g. relevance of advertising and transparency over the use of personal data); and
The technical feasibility, complexity and cost involved for Google.

Building on many months of open consultation by Google — and the CMA — with the wider industry, Google will be consulting with the CMA and ICO on a regular basis in relation to the design, development and implementation of the Privacy Sandbox (including testing and public announcements). Google will also increase its engagement with industry stakeholders (including publishers, advertisers and ad tech providers) by providing a systematic feedback process to take on board reasonable views and suggestions. This continues our previous engagement with web community members, who are encouraged to participate in the development and testing of the proposed new technologies through public discussion forums like the W3C, developer channels such as GitHub, industry groups and origin trials. We will also establish a dedicated microsite, available from privacysandbox.com, explaining these channels in more detail and offering a new feedback form to submit suggested use cases and API feature requests, by the end of February 2022.

Ensuring compliance

Google will work with the CMA to resolve concerns without delay and consult and update the CMA and the ICO on an ongoing basis. Google has also committed to appoint an independent Monitoring Trustee who will have the access and technical expertise needed to ensure compliance, having consulted with the CMA. The Monitoring Trustee will work directly with the CMA, and will be central in ensuring compliance with the data and non-discrimination commitments offered by Google.

We believe that these commitments will ensure that competition continues to thrive while providing flexibility in designing the Privacy Sandbox APIs in a way that will improve peoples’ privacy online. Helping businesses adapt to a privacy-safe web, through invention and collaboration, can help provide the foundation for long-term economic sustainability and growth.

This process requires close engagement with competition and privacy regulators and new ways of working together. We hope these commitments can contribute to that new framework.

Past and present female pioneers of science

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:01:00 +0000

The manifold contributions that women have made to the world of science are an undeniable part of humanity's history of scientific progress. And while more and more efforts are being made to ensure these heroines receive the credit and acknowledgement they are due, many of the female faces behind the inventions that shaped us all remain hidden.

This is why on the occasion of today’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we have opened up a whole new experience on Google Arts & Culture’s Women in Culture hub. We’d like to invite you to start your exploration by getting acquainted with five past and contemporary women of science that you should know:

Get inspired by many more women and girls in science on our Women in Culture hub and browse further to explore other fields beyond science in which female trailblazers made an impact; from civil rights to sports, from arts to fashion and much more on Google Arts & Culture and on our iOS and Android App.

If you know a woman in science, today is the day to celebrate them — although everyday should offer an opportunity to appreciate and highlight the achievements of women in the workplace and beyond. Check out the #IamRemarkable project to get inspired on how to make their voices heard.

Rajavi Mishra on becoming a computer science researcher

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Rajavi Mishra first knew she wanted to become a computer science (CS) researcher when she was a high school junior in Delhi, India. After studying electricity in her physics class, she was hooked on learning even more about the field. Rajavi spent her summer interning with a lab supervisor to design experiments that studied the mechanical life deterioration of electrical contractors, and then expanded that work into a research paper that was published during her senior year of high school.

Today, Rajavi is a senior studying CS at the University of California, Berkeley, and is one of the most recent graduates of Google’s CS Research Mentorship Program (CSRMP). Growing up in India, Rajavi felt like her dream of completing a computer science internship as a high school student and pursuing a career in computer science would be daunting and difficult to achieve. But, thanks in part to the relationships she built during CSRMP, she’s enjoyed every bit of it.

Started in 2018, CSRMP provides mentorship, networking and career exploration to undergraduate and graduate students from historically marginalized groups (HMGs) who are interested in pursuing computing research. The program’s fifth class of students — which included Rajavi — graduated in December 2021, adding 201 students from 109 institutions across the United States and Canada to an alumni community of more than 500 CS researchers. Here’s what Rajavi had to say about her CSRMP and computing research experience:

How has CSRMP impacted your research journey?

I gained insight into a breadth of research domains during speaker series and hands-on workshops. One of our small-group pod sessions had panels with researchers from various Human and Computer Interaction (HCI) sub-domains, which helped me get a taste of different skills, roles and projects in the space.Our pod sessions were real-world learning-focused, and explored different research tools and methodologies in HCI, interesting case studies of projects, and what life as a researcher at Google is like.

What was the highlight of CSRMP?

One-on-one sessions with my mentor were the highlight of my experience. Through discussions with my mentor, I was able to gain solid feedback on my work — from grad school applications and industry research experiences to my current research project at Berkeley. I have a much better understanding of computer science industry research positions and future opportunities for the role.

What were some challenges you had to overcome during the program?

The biggest challenge was letting go of my internal inhibitions and taking the initiative to connect with peers and mentors. To make the most of the program, I had to communicate expectations with my mentor and not feel ashamed for not knowing something. In the end, being a curious learner helped me broaden my horizons and network.

What are you looking forward to most in the year ahead?

As part of my EECS honors thesis, I have been working with Professor Chasins to study how people interact with digital assistants, which we hypothesize do not sufficiently fulfill all possible user queries. While the current research focuses on what people ask their assistants, we wanted to explore how people want to be able to express themselves to their voice assistants. With this in mind, we designed a seven-day in-situ diary study where we asked people with no voice assistant experience to record requests they would ask their assistants. I am using open-coding and language processing techniques to analyze study data, categorize diverse user needs and build an ecologically valid benchmark suite of queries that current voice assistants fail to fulfill. As I wrap up my senior honors thesis, I’m excited to see how my skills have grown since I published my first paper as a high school senior. I'm also thrilled about graduating next semester and joining graduate school as a master’s student to further explore the research area of HCI.

What advice do you have for students like you who are curious about becoming a researcher in computing?

A mentor who can help you identify, shape and strengthen your interests in computer science is pivotal. Learning from my mentors has been invaluable to my progress as a learner, researcher, problem solver and human being.

Congratulations to all of the students who graduated from the CS Research Mentorship Program in the second half of 2021! If you’re interested in joining students like Rajavi Mishra to explore what the world of CS research has to offer, then be sure to apply for the September 2022 mentorship cycle in July when applications open.

Be ready for what’s next: growing your business in 2022

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Like many of you, I’ve spent the first month of 2022 ramping back up at work and making progress on plans for this year. And while there still isn’t a playbook for navigating a pandemic that’s upended daily life, my team is continuing to focus on ways Google can help you respond and deliver on your greatest business needs.

Buying behavior will continue to change, and people will use technology in new ways to discover products and brands. That’s why my team and I are more committed than ever to connecting consumers with the businesses around them, while continuing to power a free and open internet.

Buying behavior will continue to change, and people will use technology in new ways to discover products and brands.

This is an intentionally ambitious goal, and today, I want to share the three priorities that are guiding our product roadmap: unlocking new opportunities for business growth, preparing for the future of measurement and ensuring we exceed consumer expectations for privacy.

Unlocking new opportunities for growth with automation

Shifts in consumer behavior continue to present challenges and opportunities for businesses around the globe. And despite some parts of the world reopening, it appears many of these shifts will not only stay, but accelerate. Take food delivery, for example. Searches for “takeout restaurants” surged 400% last year compared to the start of the pandemic.[3a43c0]

In meeting with many advertisers, I’ve heard how readiness, speed and agility have been critical for managing complexity and driving growth in these uncertain times. That’s why advertisers are turning to automation more than ever before. In fact, over 80% of Google advertisers are now using automated bidding to free up time and improve ad performance.[a393f4]

Over 80% of Google advertisers are now using automated bidding to free up time and improve ad performance.

It’s also important to build on innovations like Performance Max campaigns — and make them easy to use. This single campaign enables marketers to find incremental, high-value customers across Google’s full range of advertising channels and inventory. By simply providing conversion goals, audience signals and a number of creative assets, advertisers that use Performance Max campaigns in their accounts have seen an average increase of 13% total incremental conversions at a similar cost per action.[63e437]

Performance Max campaigns help you increase conversions across

Google’s full range of advertising channels and inventory.

Similarly, Discovery campaigns allow you to reach up to three billion users across Google feeds like YouTube and Discover — all from a single campaign. You can deliver highly visual, inspiring and personalized ad experiences to people who are ready to discover your brand.

Across all Google Ads campaigns — including Video action campaigns and Smart Display campaigns — our data shows that automation is unlocking growth for businesses around the world. This is especially true for Search campaigns. As we continue improving our Search products, we’re seeing the multiplicative effect of using automated targeting, creative and bidding together.

Automation is unlocking growth for businesses around the world.

One of my favorite examples comes from tails.com, which is based in the UK. The tailor-made dog food brand took a test, learn and scale approach as it expanded into new markets across Europe. Using the combination of broad match, Smart Bidding and responsive search ads, tails.com increased sign-ups in Germany from its generic Search campaigns by 182%.

10:25

Preparing for the future of measurement

Whether it’s Google Ads or Google Analytics, the products you use should help you solve the unique challenges facing your business. They also need to deliver meaningful results and performance, especially during times of change and uncertainty.

For example, we know that new approaches to measurement are critical as cookies and other identifiers are phased out. The future of measurement is combining consented first-party data with insights from new, privacy-safe technology, like browser APIs, and using modeling to close data gaps. Solutions like enhanced conversions, consent mode, conversion modeling and data-driven attribution allow you to respect your customers’ privacy preferences, while confidently measuring the impact of your ads.

The future of measurement is combining consented first-party data with insights from new, privacy-safe technology.

First-party data is not only critical for measuring your media, it’s also essential in understanding your customers. Our research shows that companies that link their first-party data sources can generate 1.5 times the incremental revenue from single ad placement, communication or outreach.[457535]Assigning value to your conversions, and using first-party data solutions like Customer Match, enable you to express what’s most valuable to your business and find opportunities for growth.

Exceeding consumers' expectations for digital privacy

There’s been a massive acceleration in the way people use technology to connect with businesses during the pandemic. Meanwhile, there are rising expectations for user privacy and control. You have to meet your customers where they are and build meaningful relationships in a privacy-safe way.

Empowering best-in-class marketing

Whether a global brand like PepsiCo or an online business like tails.com, your stories of resilience and ingenuity continue to inspire my team to build for the future.

There’s never been a more exciting time to be a marketer, and we’re here to be your partner along the way. As you make progress on your plans for the year ahead, continue to share your stories and feedback within the product and at events like Think Retail and Google Marketing Live. We’ll continue listening, sharing insights and building products to help you come back stronger in 2022.

How Grant builds inclusivity in and outside of work

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

Today’s post is all about Grant Bennett, a Human Resource Associate working remotely from North Carolina, and his passion for driving equity and inclusivity both in and outside of Google.

What do you do at Google?

I’m in Google’s Human Resources Associate program, a two-year rotational program for recent college graduates. Now in my second and final rotation, I work as an Operations and Analytics Specialist on the Retention and Progression team. I help analyze and share insights to improve Googlers’ experiences.

What’s your typical workday like?

I’ve been working remotely from North Carolina since I started at Google in 2020. My day usually begins with a morning workout and some dedicated reading time. Once I log in to work, I check emails, create my to-do list and take data science skills training. The rest of my day is spent jumping in and out of meetings with teammates and consultants, working through data and generating reports for my team.

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. My father served in the military and my mother is an educator at our local community college. Baseball was my favorite activity as a kid. One time when I was practicing in downtown Fayetteville, a director asked me to make a cameo in a music video for the rapper J.Cole (which I eagerly accepted). I met J.Cole again years later, and we talked about the importance of branching out and having new experiences. That conversation inspired me to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). I enrolled at Morehouse College, the only all-male HBCU in the United States, on a baseball and academic scholarship. I studied psychology and got really involved in campus life. Through these experiences, I found my passion for social impact and research.

What’s your daily source of inspiration?

I’m inspired that Google continues to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace, and I’m excited to take on projects connected to our HBCU commitments. I’m passionate about this work, because I understand the value of investing in communities that have been historically under-resourced and excluded.

Are you working on any projects outside of work?

I’m the Founder and Executive Director of The Two-Six Project, a nonprofit organization helping to develop leaders from marginalized communities. We provide funding, leadership development training and scholarships to youth athletic organizations in the Fayetteville area. Thanks in part to the generous support of individual Googlers during our holiday giving campaign, The Two-Six Project recently hosted its second annual “Christmas Giveback” event and provided food, toys and winter clothing to over 2,000 people. The success of this event led to a feature in Forbes Magazine and my participation on a panel about equity, moderated by Former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Grant at Google’s Mountain View headquarters.

How did you prepare for your Google interviews?

I really studied my resumé to help me tell my career story and quantify my impact. I also researched behavioral-based questions — “tell me about a time you…” — and asked close friends to conduct mock interviews.

What advice would you give to your past self?

I would remind myself that my perspective is valuable. Coming from an HBCU, you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome or self-doubt when going through the hiring process. But it’s important to remember that your unique experience helps you impact the world in your own way. I would tell myself to trust the path that got me here, and to focus on showing why I would be a good fit for the role.

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?

No matter what, be authentic. Google is a melting pot of diverse people, so know that you will add just as much value to the company as it will add to your professional growth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be intentional with your energy and build healthy habits around networking.

Making sure everyone feels "Seen on Pixel"

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

The Super Bowl has always been a special moment for Google. From our first Super Bowl ad in 2010, “Parisian Love,” to our 2020 spot “Loretta,” we try to shine a light on the challenges we’re focused on solving with our technology and tell the stories of real people impacted by our products.

And today, we’re continuing this legacy with our latest Super Bowl ad, “Seen on Pixel,” which tells the story of Real Tone, Google’s years-long efforts to ensure all our camera and imaging products accurately represent all skin tones.

For too long, camera technology, including our own, has failed people of color by either making them look washed out or too unnaturally bright or dark. Because everyone deserves to be seen as they truly are, we are committed to addressing this gap. Internally, Googlers of color volunteered to test the camera on Pixel 6 before we launched it and provided input on what was working and what could be better. Externally, we partnered with image experts who spent months with our engineers, testing the camera and providing detailed and thoughtful feedback that helped improve our camera and editing products, including adding significantly more portraits of people of color in the image datasets that train our camera models. This collective teamwork allowed us to launch what we call Real Tone, with Pixel 6 as our first camera to feature these improvements.

Since the launch of Real Tone on Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro last October, we have seen the difference camera representation can make. “Seen on Pixel” brings to life what Real Tone represents. It is a montage of beautiful photography of individuals and families from all walks of life, all photographed on Pixel 6 by our director Joshua Kissi and contributing photographers Deun Ivory and Aundre Larrow. We partnered with award-winning artist Lizzo, who truly embodies the spirit of our campaign by always being her authentic self, unapologetically. Her powerful vocals as the soundtrack bring “Seen on Pixel” to life with a preview of her new song, “If You Love Me.”

Representation and equity in everything should always be the norm and the default. And until we reach it, our goal at Google will always be to make gains in the world every day through our products and storytelling.

The jobs people want, according to Search trends

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Lots of people quit in 2021. Like,a lot. Month after month, a record number of people put their tools away, shut their laptops, took off their badges, handed in their two week’s notice or simply walked out the door and didn’t go back.

We were curious — what did people leave their jobs to do next? What careers piqued their interest, what training programs did they pursue? We looked at Google Search trends to get an idea.

The first thing we noticed was how global this experience has been. The “Great Resignation” of 2021 is usually talked about as an American phenomenon, but Search trends suggest that people everywhere were looking to leave their jobs. The top countries searching for “how to leave your job” come from five different continents: ThePhilippines is at the top, followed by South Africa, then the U.S., Australia and the U.K.

Search trends also reveal what career paths people are interested in. To find this out, we looked at the jobs people searched for alongside the phrase “how to become,” such as “how to become an astronaut.” Trends showed us that over the past year, people were most interested in jobs that involve helping others, travel and working in real estate — ideally in a role that doesn’t require a traditional boss. .

Most-searched “how to become” jobs — January 2021-January 2022

Real estate agent
Flight attendant
Notary
Therapist
Pilot
Firefighter
Personal trainer
Psychiatrist
Physical therapist
Electrician

When drilling down to look at the most-searched “how to become…” jobs in each U.S. state, there were some distinct regional trends. People in the South and Midwest were interested in becoming a notary (with the exception of several Appalachian states). Large portions of the Northeast, Northern Midwest and Western U.S. were interested in real estate careers.

Notably, only two states’ most-searched jobs did not include notary, real estate agent, electrician or pilot: New Mexico, where people were most interested in becoming a flight attendant, and Montana, where people sought information about personal training over any other profession.

We also looked at Search trends related to professional certifications and training programs. Similar to the “how to become” trends, these showed that people are interested in real estate. We also learned that people are interested in jobs involving hair and beauty, medical assisting and data analytics.

Top trending professional certifications and training programs in the U.S. — January 2021-January 2022

Google data analytics professional certificate
NCMA certification
Child development associate certification
Eyelash technician training program
Electrician training program
Real estate training program
Barber training program

Finding a new job on Search

If you’re one of the many people who left their job in recent months, here are some tips for finding your next gig on Search:

Search for any job and a dedicated section will appear with opportunities from employers and job boards across the web. Use filters to sort by title, location, date posted and more.
Customize your job search to your experience level, or to the benefits or job environment you want. Try searching “WFH jobs” or “no experience jobs near me.”
See jobs specific to your educational background by adding your field of study to your job search, such as “jobs for history majors.” And try “no degree jobs” to see opportunities that don’t require a bachelor’s.
Keep a lookout for the “Actively Hiring" filter that shows jobs from employers that are hiring a lot right now.
Save jobs you want to come back to by tapping the bookmark icon on any posting. Find jobs you’ve saved in the “Saved” tab of the job search tool on the web, or in the Collections tab of the Google app on iOS and Android.

For another way to get skills and training while looking for a job, check outGrow with Google for online resources related to resume creation, interview best practices, networking and more.

Unpacking 7 features on the latest Samsung Galaxy devices

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Today at Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series and updates coming soon to the Galaxy Watch4 series. Together with Samsung, we’re introducing new features that help you communicate in new ways, get more done and stay entertained with your Galaxy devices.

More ways to connect with live sharing on Google Duo

Video calling with Duo can help you connect with friends and family, no matter how far away. With live sharing support across your favorite apps, you will be able to use Duo on your Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series to brainstorm ideas with your friends and colleagues through Jamboard, share ideas and images in Samsung Notes and Gallery, watch videos together on YouTube or search for locations on Google Maps.

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Preview YouTube videos on Messages by Google

People share YouTube videos on Messages all the time — in fact, they're one of the most-shared types of links on the app overall. In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to see a preview of the video your friends and family share with you right in the conversation, so you can quickly decide whether to watch it now or later. And you can tap again to play the video as well, without ever leaving the chat.

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Optimized for accessibility with Voice Access

Voice Access on Android is designed to help people with disabilities navigate and control their device without needing to use their hands. While it’s optimized for people with motor disabilities like ALS, spinal cord injuries or arthritis, it can also be helpful for anyone with a temporary disability like a broken arm, or people whose hands are otherwise occupied. Built into the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series, you don’t need to download a separate app, and you can use Voice Access prompts to quickly and easily tap, scroll and navigate your device. Tap, scroll, and browse your device with voice commands. Either set Voice Access to start whenever you use your device, or say, “Hey Google, Voice Access” and the accessibility prompts will help you open apps and manage your device.

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Color your world with Material You

Coming with Android 12 out of the box, the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series will let you personalize your device by taking advantage of the beautiful Material You design. Change your wallpaper and the look and feel of your entire device, including your notifications, apps and more, will change to match the color palette.

Easily set up Google Play apps on your Galaxy Watch4

Setting up a new Galaxy Watch4 has never been easier. Next month, we’ll be improving the setup process so your apps on your Android phone appear as recommended apps on your watch. With a simple tap on your phone, you can install all of your favorite apps from Google Play.

Get help on your watch with Google Assistant

As you move through the day, Google is there to help you get things done across your devices. In the coming months, we’ll bring Google Assistant to Galaxy Watch4. Soon, you can ask Google to help set a timer while cooking, stay on top of your appointments by asking your calendar what’s next, or playing your favorite music – right from your wrist. Google Assistant will be available for download on Google Play and feature a new design with faster than ever response times on your watch. Once activated, just say “Hey Google” to get started.

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Listen on the go with YouTube Music Premium

Whether you’re working out or commuting to work, the YouTube Music app on Wear OS provides access to more than 80 million songs and thousands of playlists. Currently, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers have the ability to download music for ad-free offline listening. Coming soon, we’re adding Wi-Fi and LTE streaming support so subscribers can discover new tunes without their phone nearby. This will be available on Galaxy Watch4 and other Wear OS devices.

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We will continue to build on our longstanding partnership to bring helpful Google features to all of your favorite Samsung devices. With the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series, you'll receive a four-month trial of YouTube Premium (terms apply[1527fc]) on us. Learn more about the new Samsung Galaxy devices here.

Drive with Cupid this Valentine’s Day

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Whether you’re into Valentine’s Day celebrations or over them, the greatest matchmaker of all time, Cupid, is here to guide you through the ups and downs of love on the road with the latest driving experience on Waze. With nearly 3,000 years(!) of experience bringing couples together, and personal lessons learned on his journey to find a special someone, you’ll hear Cupid’s words of wisdom — and some hot takes — on the state of dating and love in 2022.

For some extra Valentine’s Day spirit, pair Cupid’s voice with the limited edition Lovewagon and a Cupid Mood to help (literally) spread the love on Waze.

Chocolate, candy hearts or a dozen long-stemmed roses are great Valentine’s Day standbys. But Cupid knows the real route to love: a keen eye for a match, a magic arrow, his sage words... and a fun, traffic-free journey to your destination. So, what are you waiting for?

See the full Cupid experience or tap “My Waze” in your Waze app and click the Cupid banner to activate. It’ll be available everywhere, in English, for a limited time.

Lifting our voices for Black History Month

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Black History Month marks a special time each year when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans, reflect on the trials and tribulations we’ve overcome and set our sights on making progress on the work that still lies ahead.

I’ve been fortunate to call the Washington, D.C. metro area home for most of my life. I grew up in a little town in Montgomery County, Maryland, went to state school for college, graduated from Howard University School of Law and taught fifth grade at a school in Anacostia. If it weren't for my connection to these culturally rich and complex communities, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It was these lived experiences that inspired me to pursue a career at the intersection of technology and social justice, and I’m honored to do that work everyday here at Google.

As I reflect on my time at Howard, I am both grateful and constantly reminded of the challenges and inequities Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) continue to face. This especially rings true in light of the deeply concerning threats made against the safety and security of several HBCU campuses across the U.S. over the last few weeks. But Google understands the immense talent and creativity these institutions help foster and want to ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.

In that spirit, we're announcing a new $6 million investment in The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and United Negro College Fund (UNCF), building on the momentum of our $50 million grant to 10 HBCUs last year. The unrestricted funding will support scholarships, faculty programs, research grants and curriculum development for their HBCU networks. We’ll also be giving $250,000 in donated search ads to UNCF, which will provide additional support to raise funds for college scholarships and further promote HBCUs.

We know there’s still more work to be done to ensure tech’s workforce better represents the communities that use our products every day. Together with organizations like TMCF, UNCF, NAACP and theNational Urban League, we’re eager to continue finding more ways to provide the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to make that goal a reality.

Supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs

Black business owners and entrepreneurs are navigating uncharted territory with the compounding effects of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and inflation. So whether it’s finding new ways to engage customers online or securing that much-needed round of funding, Google wants to be a resource for this community of business leaders.

Last week, Grow with Google began the statewide expansion of its Digital Coaches program, which provides digital skills training to help Black and Latino small businesses reach new customers and grow. Since 2017, Digital Coaches in 20 cities have helped train more than 100,000 business owners, and they will now offer training across their states to equip more Black-and Latino-owned businesses with digital skills.

In addition to this expanded training, Grow with Google and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. will host their second National Black-Owned Business Summit on Thursday, February 24, providing virtual trainings and guest speakers for 2,500+ Black businesses across the country. The trainings will focus on how to create a search-friendly website and how to reach more customers with Google Ads. Attendees will also have access to sign up for a limited number of one-on-one coaching sessions from Googlers. Business owners can register for the summit at g.co/grow/BlackOwnedSummit.

We’re also kicking off our third round of investments to the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund in the U.S., with another $5 million in funding. Over the last two years, we’ve welcomed 126 Black founders into our network and provided $10 million in non-dilutive funding, meaning founders do not give up any ownership in their company in exchange for funding. We’ve also expanded the Black Founders Fund globally to support founders from Brazil, Africa and Europe. In total, Black Founders Fund recipients have gone on to raise over $137 million in additional capital from outside investors as a result of the $16 million in non-dilutive funding.

Amplifying Black music, art and culture

Throughout the month of February, we’ll be spotlighting Black culture across our products and platforms, showcasing the trendsetters, history-makers and innovators that inspire us every day.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting underrepresented voices in entertainment, we recently partnered with Raedio to support its new Raedio Creators Program. Two emerging women artists and two composers will receive funding and other resources to create their own music, while retaining full ownership of their work. Submissions open on February 15 and recipients will be announced in March. And today, we announced a partnership with Motown Records where we’ll support its Motown Records Creator Program to provide an emerging women content creator an immersive, five-month fellowship assisting the label’s women executives and artists. Applications are open now through March 8.

We’ll also launch a series of music playlists in the YouTube Music app. This week’s playlist, titled “Lifting Voices…Strong,” celebrates voices in Black culture and history featuring Kendrick Lamar, Angela Davis and Beyoncé, among others.

Our Google Arts & Culture partners are releasing new content this month, bringing together local and global voices. Projects range from the Black legends of Detroit’s rock and roll scene shared by the The Carr Center to international artists from the Haiti Film Institute, as well as works created by artist Sonya Clark that showcase the power of the African Diaspora with help from the National Museum of Women in the Arts. With these new exhibits, our dedicated Black History Month hub now has over 11,850 images, artifacts, videos and stories from more than 85 global partners.

A photograph of a woman sits in a corner of a couch, leaning one against the armrest, touching her left ear with the same hand; her right arm is draper over her legs. She is wearing a striped, yellow button-down shirt and blue polka-dot, silk pants. The couch is patterned with brown polka dots. There is a large plant to the right of the image.
Sonya Clark from the National Museum of Women in the Arts collection on Google Arts & Culture
Oil painting of a man in a purple suit standing in front of a car playing the saxophone, with a woman standing against the car and two other men with instruments on the sidewalk.
Big City Blues from the The Carr Center collection on Google Arts & Culture
A painted portrait of a bearded man looking upwards. Within his blue blazer jacket are abstract patterns containing other faces and objects. Behind him is a large, yellow halo which also incorporates additional faces. In the top left of the halo the word “PROLIFIC” is written in all caps.
The Marathon, Nipsey Hussle from the Trap Music Museum collection on Google Arts & Culture
Black-and-white photograph of Muhammed Ali and a small boy, with Ali holding up his hand to block a practice punch from the child.
Untitled, Miami Beach, Florida from the The Gordon Parks Foundation collection on Google Arts & Culture
Photograph of two women, both wearing blue and looking at the camera, sitting in a storefront surrounded by different bottles.
Religious Shop in Cap Haitian from the Haiti Film Institute collection on Google Arts & Culture

If you’d like to grow your knowledge about historical figures and key events, simply ask your Google Assistant “Hey Google, what happened today in Black history?” to get a daily dose of facts adapted from the Black Heritage Day Calendar created by author, lecturer and civil rights activist Dr. Carl Mack.

And if you haven’t seen it already, today’s Google Doodle pays homage to Toni Stone, the first woman and woman of color in history to play professional baseball in a men’s major baseball league. Guest artist Monique Wray’s animated illustration brings Stone’s legacy to life for new generations. She draws inspiration from baseball action photography while incorporating Stone’s sense of humor and signature curly hair. Monique also worked with us to redesign the YouTube logo on the homepage, alongside illustrator Sabrena Khadija, to celebrate the #YouTubeBlack creators and artists who are shaping and shifting culture.

There’s a lot of other great Black History Month content to explore throughout the month. That includes Google TV programming with TV, movie and music recommendations featuring Black voices from around the world and a special spotlight on Black women who have made a mark on culture. We’ll also be spotlighting some of the latest apps created by Black developers on Google Play, as well as a month-long video series highlighting Black Women in Tech as part of our Women Techmakers initiative. And for all the Pixel users out there, be sure to download the curated wallpapers from visual artist Aurélia Durand to help give your phone some added style.

A woman dressed in a yellow top and bright checkered pants is posing in the center. Bright red, orange and neon colors and shapes float in the background.
Pixel’s Black History Month wallpapers created by illustrator Aurélia Durand, whose work celebrates Afro-descendants everywhere. Durand shows us that creativity is emerging around us; it's a fusion of ideas and spontaneity.
A group of individuals are gathered, dressed in bright neon colors, smiling and speaking to one another.
Durand shows us that community elevates voices, brings everyone closer to each other and makes people's lives spark.
Two women are dancing in the center, wearing blue and orange pants and tops with colorful geometric designs. Light blue, purple and orange and green music notes float in the background.
Durand shows us that music invites us to share a moment of joy, movement and energy.

Head over to g.co/blackhistorymonth2022 to stay up to date on all this and more during the month of February. And while Black History Month is officially celebrated for one month, the unsung heroes and historical contributions of Black Americans deserve to be celebrated each and every day.

Dive deeper into local news with News Showcase

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

I’ve been a local news reader for a very long time, starting with my hometown paper, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Missouri. Admittedly, I started with the comics and word games like the junior jumble, but I came to appreciate the daily pulse of news about what was happening in my city. The Post-Dispatch was my connection to the city and to my neighbors.

In building Google News Showcase, our product and licensing program for news publishers, we want people who use Google’s news products to feel the same way about their local paper. Google News Showcase gives local publishers a way to show their editorial expertise and explain important issues to readers. In doing so, we hope readers are able to more deeply connect with their communities.

Today, we’re doing more to make it easier to find local publishers in Google News Showcase by bringing their panels into the local section of Google News. News Showcase publishers hand pick the content for these local panels, enabling them to highlight the most important stories of the day in their area and giving them another powerful way to deepen their relationship with readers. To get to the Local section on Google News, simply tap the Local section on the left of news.google.com or navigate to your local section of the For You feed in the Google News app.

An example of how News Showcase panels for local publishers in Canada can appear in the local section of Google News.

An example of how News Showcase panels for local publishers in Argentina can appear in the local section of Google News.

More than 90% of the publications that are part of News Showcase represent local or community news. They include Citynews in Italy, La Capital in Argentina, Frankfurter Rundschau in Germany, Jornal do Commercio in Brazil, El Colombiano in Colombia, Guelph Mercury Tribune in Canada, the Anandabazar Patrika in India, and Iliffe Media in the United Kingdom. We’ve been working closely with these publishers since before the launch of News Showcase to make sure the product works well for them.

Outside of today’s news, we’re always making additional changes behind the scenes to help publishers improve their experience with News Showcase. Notably, we recently launched the ability for publishers to see how readers are engaging with their News Showcase content in real time, so they can better understand what people want to read. This gives publishers the ability to respond quickly to what's trending, add more context to their stories or add related panels to stories that are getting traction. We’ve also introduced the ability to edit the images that appear in panels directly in our publication tool, giving News Showcase editors more control and saving them time.

Since we launched News Showcase in October 2020, we’ve signed deals with more than 1,200 news publications around the world, ensuring millions of people are able to find, engage and support the news organizations that cover issues that matter to them. We’ve also launched in more than a dozen countries including India, Japan, Portugal, Germany, Brazil, Austria, the U.K., Australia, Czechia, Italy, Colombia, Argentina, Canada and Ireland. Today, we’re rolling out the product in Poland.

News Showcase is just one way we’re helping readers find news that matters to them. We recently added a new news feature in Google Search where readers see a carousel of local news stories when we’re able to find local news coverage related to their search. This helps readers find important local news around their searches and helps local news publishers reach people looking for their news. This carousel is available globally in all languages.

We also improved our ranking systems so authoritative, relevant local news sources appear more often alongside national publications in our features such as Top Stories. This ensures people will be able to find coverage from authoritative local news sources, helping them see how national stories can impact them locally.

Supporting local publishers is also a key focus of our work and that of the Google News Initiative (GNI), our effort to help news organizations and journalists thrive in a digital age. For example, the GNI Digital Growth Program is a free program aimed at helping small and mid-sized news publishers around the world develop the capabilities required to accelerate the growth of their businesses online. And the GoogleNews Lab offers partnerships and training in over 50 countries. We’ve also built our products to help journalists with different technical abilities and resources. One example is Pinpoint, a tool that uses the best of our Search, AI, and machine learning technology to help reporters quickly go through thousands of documents like forms, handwritten notes, images, e-mail archives, PDFs, and automatically transcribes audio files.

Pinpoint helps news organizations quickly and efficiently go through hundreds or thousands of documents.

We’re dedicated to playing our part to help support local journalism thriving in a digital age — and to helping readers discover the local news stories and understand the issues that affect them.

News Showcase is launching in Poland

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0000

We know how hard it can be to keep on top of what’s happening in your community, let alone news globally. To help address this, Google News Showcase, our product and licensing program for news publishers, will begin rolling out today in Poland as “Showcase w Wiadomościach Google.” Google has signed partnerships with 47 Polish publications, including national, regional and local publications from across the country such as Wprost, NaTemat, Spider’s Web, 300Gospodarka, Lublin24 and TuŁódź. News Showcase is part of our global investment in news and reinforces our commitment to journalism in Poland and around the world.

Logos of our News Showcase partners in Poland

News Showcase panels can appear on Google products, currently on News and Discover, and direct readers to the full articles on publishers’ websites, helping them deepen their relationships with readers. Panels will also include extended access to paywalled content from participating publishers to give readers even more from their favorite sources, hopefully leading to more subscribers for the news organization. In addition to the revenue that comes directly from these more-engaged readers, participating publishers will receive monthly licensing payments from Google.

“News Showcase is another Google project supporting media outlets worldwide and once again they are doing it on such a large scale,” says Michał Mańkowski, editor-in-chief, chief operating officer and board member of naTemat Group, a nationwide online media publisher. “I am glad that Google recognizes more and more the important role of reliable and trustworthy publishers, and supports them in this way. We are proud to be in this group.”

“We are thrilled to be joining Google News Showcase. We are now certain this new platform will help us even better control how our content is seen by our readers,” says Przemysław Pająk, editor-in-chief of Spider’s Web, an independent business and technology news company. “We are not only going to use News Showcase to promote important news that we have been regularly bringing onto the media market, but also present our best columns and premium articles in an attractive way.”

Since we launched News Showcase in October 2020, we’ve signed deals with more than 1,200 news publications around the world and have launched in 14 countries including India, Japan, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Austria, the U.K., Australia, Czechia, Italy, Colombia, Argentina, Canada and Ireland, bringing more in-depth, essential news coverage to Google News and Discover users. More than 90% of the publications that are part of News Showcase represent local or community news. Local news is an essential way for readers to connect to their communities and ensure they get the news that impacts their day-to-day lives.

An example of how News Showcase panels will look with some of our partners in Poland.

"Projects like this one, supporting real journalism, are extremely important in a world overloaded with quick and short information, which often misses issues that matter,” says Michał M. Lisiecki, founder of PMPG Polskie Media SA, a traditional and new media publishing group. “Google News Showcase has a chance to gain recognition not only among editors and journalists but, most importantly, among readers who value quality content. I keep my fingers crossed for success, because it is now time for substantive and economic cooperation between global technology leaders and local media.”

“Quality local journalism plays a significant role in communities today. We are excited to be joining the project,” says Piotr Piotrowicz, CEO of Południowa Oficyna Wydawnicza, a local publishing group in central Poland, and CEO of the Local Media Association. “I believe Google News Showcase offers a chance for those important stories to reach new readers in our region and for local media to grow their digital future.”

An example of how News Showcase panels will look with some of our partners in Poland.

Google News Showcase is our latest effort to support publishers of all sizes and the news industry in Poland. Through the Google News Initiative we supported 163 local Polish newsrooms through our Journalism Emergency Relief Fund to help them continue their vital work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We also provided 6.6 million euros to support 33 Digital News Innovation Fund experimental news projects from leading publishers like Agora, Fratria, Gremi Media, Polityka, Polska Press and ZPR Media. Around the world, the Google News Initiative has supported more than7,000 news partners in over 120 countries and territories.

Since 2015, the Google News Lab has trained nearly 12,000 Polish journalists, newsroom staff and journalism students on a range of digital tools to help them research, verify and visualize their stories. Every year, we run an open Google News Lab Summer School for reporters from media located across the country to help them use those tools in their vital daily work in their local communities.

Google also sends eight billion visits each month to European news websites from products like Search and News, which publishers can monetize with online advertising and subscriptions on their websites and apps. Our ad technologies enable news organizations to sell their ad space to millions of advertisers globally — including advertisers they wouldn’t have access to without these services.

We’re dedicated to continuing our contribution to and collaboration with the news ecosystem, supporting the open web and continuing to provide access to information in Poland and elsewhere.

Gen Z creator uses the web to educate on racial justice

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Kahlil Greene is a self-described “Gen Z historian” who uses social media to advocate for change. He established himself as an influencer, educator and voice for justice with his thought-provoking videos, engaging oratory style and eye-catching graphics. He has more than 500,000 followers and 20 million views across his social media profiles — with 5.5 million likes on TikTok alone.

From influencer to entrepreneur

Kahlil first used social media to educate, activate and inform students while he was a sophomore at Yale. He was elected the college’s first Black student body president, and worked to represent student activists, whose voices were historically marginalized or suppressed. To help do so, he designed social media infographics for the Yale College Council, and their Instagram post on “Being the Change” lists over 70 advocacy projects that were completed under his leadership.

Off campus, Kahlil worked to develop an online presence as a racial justice advocate, usinghis TikTok andInstagram accounts to spark candid conversation about Black history and racism. HisJuneteenth slideshow on Instagram from July 2020 “went insanely viral,” with over 57,000 likes. Another post from a month earlier about how people talk aboutviolence against the Black community gained as much attention.

Kahlil’s Instagram profile features his take on current events, using videos and infographics.

Today, Kahlil is an in-demand public speaker and consultant, educating schools, nonprofits and businesses on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He also works with brands on their corporate social responsibility campaigns. “I share a Gen Z perspective on subjects related to history, culture and politics,” he explains. “I can amplify arguments that other Gen Zers might not be able to make. I'm forging a bridge between our generational ideas and large organizations and their leaders.”

Brands value the perspective and insights Kahlil brings, as they seek to reach Gen Z — a socially conscious, social-media savvy generation. “Society is trending towards the values that Gen Z holds,” Kahlil says. “Gen Zers are graduating college and choosing where to work. I wrote a Harvard Business Review article about how companies fail to meet those standards. Diversity and inclusion is not a 'nice to have' anymore. It's a 'need to have.'”

As Kahlil’s influence grew, businesses were reaching out to him via his email links on social media. “But those [profiles] didn’t tell people enough about me,” he says. “Other creators I admired had websites with blogs that looked very professional.” Kahlil decided he needed his own website to develop his voice as a writer, showcase his work and create a hub for his brand.

Kahlil’s website pulls together his experience as the Gen Z Historian.

Creating a business website

Kahlil launched his Gen Z Historian website in March 2021, bringing together his ideas, experiences and media coverage. “I wanted my own space where I could document my journey and develop deeper connections with people,” Kahlil says. A website also gives Kahlil ownership over his content, he notes. In January 2022, he launched his blog, where he posts long-form articles such as “What Is DEI in the New Decade?,” a popular topic for his public speaking.

Kahlil keeps an editorial calendar and posts frequently, including around holidays, remembrances and other events, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. His ongoing Instagram series on “Hidden History” tells America’s untold stories, such as the link between racism and the Salem Witch Trials. He plans to reach an even wider audience through book, podcast and TV projects in the works.

Kahlil encourages other advocacy-focused creators to find their voice on major online platforms to engage and enlighten audiences.

Finding a voice

To creators seeking a platform for advocacy, Kahlil offers this advice: “Find out what is not being said clearly, and use your voice to clarify that. Also, find topics that haven’t been talked about to death. A lot of my niche and audience come from either ideas that I clarify with my communication style or ideas that exist but haven't been shared for mass audience engagement. Those are the ways that you grab an audience if you want to be an online educator.”

Treats, trends and touchdowns — it’s game time

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:00:00 +0000

We are just days away from the biggest night in football and Google is here to help you prep. Warm-up with some trending food and stats, get ready to watch the game with Google TV, tackle football-related queries with Assistant and re-watch all your favorite commercials on AdBlitz. Start to finish, we’ve got you covered.

Gameday stats

It isn’t a gameday without delicious food. This time last year, we saw searches for wings increased more than 130% compared to a typical Sunday in 2021 on Google Maps, and around this time every year, we see search interest in buffalo wings spike. This year, we decided to take a look at what the most-searched wing flavors were across the United States.

But Sunday isn't just about food: We also checked out regional search interest in this year’s teams and quarterbacks.

And the big game isn’t complete without an epic halftime show. Take a look at this year’s performers ranked by search interest over the past year.

Most-searched 2022 halftime artists over the past year in the U.S.

Eminem
Snoop Dogg
Dr. Dre
Kendrick Lamar
Mary J. Blige

Say “Hey Google” to get your head in the game

Get into the game day spirit with Google Assistant, which is ready to answer all of your questions about football’s biggest game day. Start with some of these questions that will have you sounding like a pro:

“Hey Google, who’s going to win the big game?”
“Hey Google, help me talk like a football fan.”
"Hey Google, Touchdown!"
“Hey Google, give me facts about football.”

From endzone to AdBlitz

The commercials are (almost) just as important as the game, and you can find big game ads on the YouTube AdBlitz channel. There you can stream playlists featuring the most comedic, dramatic, action-packed and inspirational commercials and teasers. YouTube lets you decide which brands scored big with their game day ad, too — and the five ads with the most views by February 20 will be given the honor of entering the AdBlitz winners’ circle.

Catch the game with Google TV

Tune into the big game on Sunday and stream everything from kickoff to the winning play with your Google TV device, other Android TV OS device or in the Google TV app on Android devices in the U.S. Coverage begins at 12pm ET on NBC and Peacock, or on the NBC channel in your preferred live TV app with a YouTube TV or Sling TV subscription.

If you’ve recently bought a new Google TV or other Android TV OS device, you can get started by enjoying six months of Peacock Premium at no extra cost (terms apply). Just head to your Apps tab and scroll down to find your Peacock offer.

Ask a Techspert: What does AI do when it doesn’t know?

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

As humans, we constantly learn from the world around us. We experience inputs that shape our knowledge — including the boundaries of both what we know and what we don’t know.

Many of today’s machines also learn by example. However, these machines are typically trained on datasets and information that doesn’t always include rare or out-of-the-ordinary examples that inevitably come up in real-life scenarios. What is an algorithm to do when faced with the unknown?

I recently spoke with Abhijit Guha Roy, an engineer on the Health AI team, and Ian Kivlichan, an engineer on the Jigsaw team, to hear more about using AI in real-world scenarios and better understand the importance of training it to know when it doesn’t know.

Abhijit, tell me about your recent research in the dermatology space.

We’re applying deep learning to a number of areas in health, including in medical imaging where it can be used to aid in the identification of health conditions and diseases that might require treatment. In the dermatological field, we have shown that AI can be used to help identify possible skin issues and are in the process of advancing research and products, including DermAssist, that can support both clinicians and people like you and me.

In these real-world settings, the algorithm might come up against something it's never seen before. Rare conditions, while individually infrequent, might not be so rare in aggregate. These so-called “out-of-distribution” examples are a common problem for AI systems which can perform less well when it’s exposed to things they haven’t seen before in its training.

Can you explain what “out-distribution” means for AI?

Most traditional machine learning examples that are used to train AI deal with fairly unsubtle — or obvious — changes. For example, if an algorithm that is trained to identify cats and dogs comes across a car, then it can typically detect that the car — which is an “out-of-distribution” example — is an outlier. Building an AI system that can recognize the presence of something it hasn’t seen before in training is called “out-of-distribution detection,” and is an active and promising field of AI research.

Okay, let’s go back to how this applies to AI in medical settings.

Going back to our research in the dermatology space, the differences between skin conditions can be much more subtle than recognizing a car from a dog or a cat, even more subtle than recognizing a previously unseen “pick-up truck” from a “truck”. As such, the out-of-distribution detection task in medical AI demands even more of our focused attention.

This is where our latest research comes in. We trained our algorithm to recognize even the most subtle of outliers (a so-called “near-out of distribution” detection task). Then, instead of the model inaccurately guessing, it can take a safer course of action — like deferring to human experts.

Ian, you’re working on another area where AI needs to know when it doesn’t know something. What’s that?

The field of content moderation. Our team at Jigsaw used AI to build a free tool called Perspective that scores comments according to how likely they are to be considered toxic by readers. Our AI algorithms help identify toxic language and online harassment at scale so that human content moderators can make better decisions for their online communities. A range of online platforms use Perspective more than 600 million times a day to reduce toxicity and the human time required to moderate content.

In the real world, online conversations — both the things people say and even the ways they say them — are continually changing. For example, two years ago, nobody would have understood the phrase “non-fungible token (NFT).” Our language is always evolving, which means a tool like Perspective doesn't just need to identify potentially toxic or harassing comments, it also needs to “know when it doesn’t know,” and then defer to human moderators when it encounters comments very different from anything it has encountered before.

In our recent research, we trained Perspective to identify comments it was uncertain about and flag them for separate human review. By prioritizing these comments, human moderators can correct more than 80% of the mistakes the AI might otherwise have made.

What connects these two examples?

We have more in common with the dermatology problem than you'd expect at first glance — even though the problems we try to solve are so different.

Building AI that knows when it doesn’t know something means you can prevent certain errors that might have unintended consequences. In both cases, the safest course of action for the algorithm entails deferring to human experts rather than trying to make a decision that could lead to potentially negative effects downstream.

There are some fields where this isn’t as important and others where it’s critical. You might not care if an automated vegetable sorter incorrectly sorts a purple carrot after being trained on orange carrots, but you would definitely care if an algorithm didn’t know what to do about an abnormal shadow on an X-ray that a doctor might recognize as an unexpected cancer.

How is AI uncertainty related to AI safety?

Most of us are familiar with safety protocols in the workplace. In safety-critical industries like aviation or medicine, protocols like “safety checklists” are routine and very important in order to prevent harm to both the workers and the people they serve.

It’s important that we also think about safety protocols when it comes to machines and algorithms, especially when they are integrated into our daily workflow and aid in decision-making or triaging that can have a downstream impact.

Teaching algorithms to refrain from guessing in unfamiliar scenarios and to ask for help from human experts falls within these protocols, and is one of the ways we can reduce harm and build trust in our systems. This is something Google is committed to, as outlined in its AI Principles.

Finding answers gets better with Chrome

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Every month, we look to add more features to Chrome to help you find information and get things done while navigating the web, whether you're on your laptop or phone. Here’s what’s new:

Jump back into your Journeys and find what's next

Our days are constantly filled with interruptions. You might be researching across multiple pages for hikes for the weekend or information about vaccines, then quickly need to switch over to a last-minute work call, only to forget where you originally left off. Now with Journeys, rolling out in the latest version of Chrome for desktop, you can revisit past explorations grouped by topic.

When you type a related word into your search bar and click on “Resume your research” or visit the Chrome History Journeys page, you see a list of relevant sites you visited and can quickly pick up where you left off, whether it was earlier today or weeks ago. Journeys will even take into account how much you’ve interacted with a site to put the most relevant information front and center, while also bringing you helpful suggestions on related searches you may want to try next.

Importantly, you’re always in control of your data. You can delete individual items or entire clusters of activity — or turn off Journeys completely. As always, you’ll be able to clear your browsing history right from Chrome settings. Finally, Journeys currently only groups history on your device — nothing is saved to your Google account. And based on user feedback and interest, we’ll explore adding the ability to access Journeys in Chrome across multiple devices (just like bookmarks or passwords). Journeys is rolling out to Chrome desktop on any OS in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Turkish.

The Journeys feature of Chrome groups together your search history based on topic or intent

Take action directly from your address bar

Rolling out now, we’re releasing more Chrome Actions to help you get more things done quickly from the Chrome address bar. We first released Chrome Actions a couple years ago, with Actions like Clear browsing data. You can save time with an Action by typing its title. The Chrome address bar also predicts when you could benefit from a Chrome Action based on the words that have been typed. Some of our favorite new Actions are:

“Manage settings”
“Customize Chrome”
“View your Chrome history”
“Manage accessibility settings”
“Share this tab”
“Play Chrome Dino game”

Soon, look out for more Chrome Actions coming to more languages and to mobile.

Chrome-ify your Android home screen

With the new Chrome widgets for Android, you can quickly start a text search, voice search, Lens search or open an Incognito tab right from your homescreen. There’s even a shortcut to play the Chrome dino game – even if you’re online. Or, if you really love the dino game, there’s a widget dedicated just to our prehistoric friend. Rolling out now, to get the Chrome widget for Android, long press the Chrome icon then select “widgets.”

Add new Chrome widgets to your Android homescreen

We have so many more tools and features that we think you’ll love in 2022. If you do have any suggestions on things you want to see, send us a tweet @googlechrome.

Introducing the new Search Ads 360

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A lot has changed since Search Ads 360 was developed more than ten years ago. The ways people search and the expectations for the ads they see have evolved and expanded. As a result, advertisers are managing more complexity than ever before and turn to platforms like Search Ads 360 to simplify campaign management, measure performance and grow their business.

Today we’re introducing the new Search Ads 360 to help advertisers be ready for what’s next. We’re making the platform easier to use with a new user interface, and adding support for more search engine features and campaign types based on feedback from advertisers who told us they want an easier and more convenient way to build campaigns across advertising platforms. You’ll now have immediate support for most new Google Ads features and improved support for other channels and search engines, like Microsoft Advertising and Yahoo! Japan. We’ve also built new enterprise features that are only available in the new Search Ads 360 which will give you new ways to centralize and scale your day-to-day tasks across engines and accounts. As a result, now you’ll be able to get more of your work done from one place, which will save you time and help you drive better results.

Rebuilt on a Proven Platform

In order to help advertisers keep up with today’s demands, we redesigned and rebuilt Search Ads 360 using the same technology that powers Google Ads.

With this new common technology in place, the new Search Ads 360 will be able to manage and process more data than ever before — while still conforming to strict latency guidelines to deliver a fast user experience — which will unlock new enterprise innovations to help you centralize and scale your work. Second, it’ll offer immediate management support for most new features in Google Ads like Performance Max and Discovery campaigns.

It’s a total game-changer that most Google Ads content is now available for management. This not only extends productivity and automation, but unlocks the ability to activate things like Value Based Bidding in a way that was never before possible. Brent Ramos
Product Director, Adswerve

Let’s take a look at some of the key changes in the new Search Ads 360.

New Look, Faster Navigation

The refreshed look and feel of Search Ads 360 introduces a familiar user experience that closely resembles search engine tools like Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising — platforms that many Search Ads 360 users are familiar with — making navigation faster and easier for enterprise marketers to manage campaigns and drive performance.

I found the new simplified user interface easier to navigate and use. The new budget forecasting capabilities, reporting features, and reduced complexity allowed me to streamline workflows and minimize my workload by at least 20% last month.* Elizaveta Markina
Search Specialist, OMD NZ

The new Search Ads 360 interface

Improved Search Engine Support

With a more modern infrastructure, the new Search Ads 360 is also able to offer better support across multiple advertising channels and search engines, including third-party partners. This means advertisers can access more features from other search engines than ever before. For example, the new Search Ads 360 introduces support for a number of new Yahoo! Japan features, like Dynamic Ads For Search and sitelink extension scheduling, as well as over ten additional Microsoft Advertising features including responsive search ads, call extensions, local inventory ads and additional Microsoft audience types like customer match.

The new user interface in Search Ads 360 helps Media.Monks account teams identify optimization opportunities on a more streamlined basis. In fact, since we started using the new experience, the team is saving 2-3 hours per week. Jorie Fox
Director, Media.Monks (formerly MightyHive)

This added support will enable less task switching between advertising platforms so you can focus on getting more of your work done all in one place. We’ll continue to add more features and channel support in the coming quarters, and we encourage you to continue sharing feedback on what you’d like to see added.

Advanced Enterprise Innovations

We’ve also added a number of features unique to the new Search Ads 360. For instance, the new Search Ads 360 takes enterprise workflows to the next level by giving you new ways to centralize and scale your day-to-day tasks and key activities — like campaign management, automated rules and labels — and you'll now be able to make these changes across multiple advertisers at the same time.

"The new Search Ads 360 has unlocked value for our team: from the ability to manage new extensions for Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, to cross-engine performance overviews, and editing campaigns from multiple accounts in a unified and familiar interface. All of these improvements have enabled us to manage paid search much more easily."
—Rodrigo Pozos, SEM Manager, Aeromexico

Automated rules builder in the new Search Ads 360

Current Search Ads 360 customers use automated campaign building features like inventory management and ad builder to efficiently manage their marketing at scale. In the new Search Ads 360 these will become a single unified feature called “Templates.” We expect this to become available later this year, at which point you’ll be able to activate business data across client accounts to automatically build and update your ads at scale using your own data feed.

Another great feature in the new Search Ads 360 is “Performance Center” — an improvement to budget management — that will take you beyond simply managing budgets. We expect this to become fully available later this year, at which point you’ll be able to incorporate enterprise planning capabilities like improved forecasting across search engines where you can explore different hypothetical scenarios to plan your media budgets.

Performance Center in the new Search Ads 360

If you’d like to learn more about these and other new features in the new Search Ads 360, please reach out to your account representative or contact the support team.

The Road Ahead

This is an exciting new chapter for Search Ads 360 that paves the way for the next generation of enterprise innovations to optimize workflows and help you maximize performance. We look forward to building the future of enterprise Search together, and we encourage you to share your feedback so we can continue improving Search Ads 360.

Over the next couple of months, current Search Ads 360 users can expect to start gaining access to the new Search Ads 360. To get started, we recommend diving into the new Skillshop learning pathGet Started with Search Ads 360 for an in depth overview.

^{*Individual results may vary}

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Finding answers gets better with Chrome

Jump back into your Journeys and find what's next

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Introducing the new Search Ads 360

Rebuilt on a Proven Platform

New Look, Faster Navigation

Improved Search Engine Support

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