Are you a Google Chrome or an Apple Safari user? These two web browsers are the default options for Android and Apple phones, respectively, and over the years they have utterly dominated the market. In fact, according to Yaguara, over 85% of people are now using one of those two browsers.
Or maybe, like me, you’re one of those rare few people who use Ecosia, or something similar, because you’re keen to do a little bit of good every time you search. Whatever you use, the reality is that AI is taking a stranglehold of all our search experiences.
This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here.
Search engines are top-loading results with AI summaries, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find real websites in the sea of AI and paid-for positions that clutter results. Whether you’re a fan of it or not, one brand that is harnessing AI to deliver a more streamlined search experience is Arc Search.
AI takes center stage
Arc Search boasts three innovative AI features that help users get the information they want quickly. My favorite, mainly because of the way it's implemented, is the ability to get a bullet-point summary of the web page you’re currently visiting.
To access the summary, you perform a pinch gesture on the screen. Arc Search takes just a few seconds to work its AI magic, and while you wait, it keeps your attention by giving you a dancing thumbnail of the webpage. Cute.
When it’s finished thinking, it presents a simple and easy-to-follow breakdown of the key information. The feature is accurate and responsive, but I’d like to see it presented closer to the web page itself rather than taking you out into a separate window.
If you’d like to use Arc Search AI to browse the web for you, then ‘Browse for me’ is worth a look. Simply type your search text, select ‘Browse for me ’, and wait for the AI response to be generated. It’s simple to use, and I was glad to see that sources and web links were clearly provided and linked to the relevant AI-generated text.
Beyond these features, you can use Arc Search like any AI engine and ask it specific questions. An extension to this is the ability to lift your phone to your ear and have a conversation with the AI.
A lighter browsing experience
Along with offering a new, AI-centric way to interact with the web, Arc Search takes a drastic approach to de-cluttering the browsing experience. The primary way it does this is with a built-in ad blocker that blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups, and cookie banners. It’s an effective way to limit the often bombarding nature of online ads.
To complement the ad block, Arc Search also features a reader mode that strips away any unnecessary page information, converts all text to white, and places it on a black background. It’s a nice way to engage with web pages and a potential solution for anyone with sensory challenges.
Another feature I tried was the translate feature, although it’s not a native Arc Search feature. In fact, it uses Google Translate to power the translation. This didn’t seem to matter, though, as the implementation made it feel like a native part of the app experience.
Other features include auto-archiving old tabs, the syncing of passwords across iCloud Keychain, and an incognito mode. It’s also possible to use Arc Search as a traditional web browser, although Arc Search then simply becomes a container for a third-party browser such as Chrome, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
As you’d expect with most modern tools, Arc Search syncs tabs across all different platforms, including Mac, Windows, and iOS. This means you can start a search journey on your phone before work and pick it up again on your laptop once you arrive in the office. All you have to do is create an Arc account and make sure you’re signed in on all accounts.
AI search, but at what cost?
Arc Search is a solid app that I'm sure will only rise in popularity as more people hear about it. It appeals to our need for speed and convenience, but we should always ask at what cost. For now, I'll continue using Ecosia and prioritizing 'real' results while keeping an eye on whether Arc Search and others can create a more hybrid experience that offers the best of both worlds.
Download Arc Search on iOS and Android.
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