Google announced the Search Labs program in their recent GoogleIO 2023 event. Google Search Labs is a new program that allows users to test early-stage experiments in Google Search.
In other words, Google Search Labs can be described as a beta testing program by Google which allows a limited number of people to access their new features and products. Similar to the old Google Labs, Search Labs users can provide feedback directly to the team who built the features and products.
Who can Sign up for the Search Labs Program?
According to the announcement from Google, registration for Search Labs is solely accessible to searchers located in the United States and is currently only supported in English.
As of writing this article May 11, 2023, Google Search Labs is only available to users in the United States.
You need a Gmail account to sign up for the program. When I tried to sign up with my Workspace account, I got the following error message “Search Labs isn’t available for your account right now”.
How to join the Search Labs waitlist outside the US?
If you are that much interested, there is a workaround for people who wants to signup for the program. If you are living in India, Australia, Europe or anywhere outside the US, you can use the following method to signup for the program. Here is how.
1. Visit the Search Labs Signup page
Here is the direct link https://labs.google.com/search to signup for the Search Labs experimental programs.
Search Labs isn’t available for your account right now: How To Fix
If you see an error message like “Search Labs isn’t available for your account right now”, it is likely due to either your current login being logged in with a workspace account or the program not being supported in your country.
If it is due to an unsupported country issue, follow the next step.
2. Change your region to the United States using a VPN
By changing the location to the United States in your VPN, you can access the signup page for the Search Labs program. Reload the page once you change your country location in the VPN.
3. Make sure it is a Gmail account.
Even if you change your country, there are chances that you might be switched back to the workspace account. I recommend you double check you’re from the right account.
You can do the signup process in an incognito window if you are facing issues with multiple logged-in accounts.
4. Wait for the Mail
Once you signed up for the join list, all you can do is wait for that invite mail.
There is no specific date in their announcement for when waitlists will be approved. Google is currently rolling out the new Google Search generative experience in batches, and they will be notifying users who have signed up for the waitlist in the coming weeks.
When I signed up for the BARD waiting list, I received the following email when I got my request approved.
Similarly, you can also expect an email like this when your turn comes. All the best.
Update on 28 May 2023
On May 26 2023, Google began rolling out the Search Generative Experience (SGE) to those who are on the waitlist.
2 days later, on May 28th I got access to the SGE as I was already on the waitlist. I didn’t get any emails regarding the invite. However, when I tried with the link I redirected to the onboarding screen.
I also tried searching a few queries based on what normal people would be searching for in India. Below is a screenshot of what it looks like.
Apart from this screenshot, I also took a couple of screen records. I will upload them on my Twitter feed.
So, that’s all about this post. As I got access to the SGE, it is confirmed that the method I mentioned in this post is working.