Google has ended a short-lived search feature that gathered and displayed health advice from online strangers using artificial intelligence. The feature, branded “What People Suggest,” was meant to enhance health search results with community-sourced experiences but has since been discontinued. Its removal was confirmed by Google following inquiries, with the company offering limited explanation.
“What People Suggest” was presented at a Google health event in New York as an innovative tool for patients seeking real-world health perspectives. Former chief health officer Karen DeSalvo described the feature as a way to let people discover what others with similar conditions had found helpful, such as exercise habits for those living with arthritis. The AI organized online discussions into clear themes, making community advice easier to browse.
The company told reporters that the feature was removed as part of broader search page simplification, and that safety or quality were not factors. Yet the blog post Google referenced as having publicly announced the change made no mention of the tool. One insider dismissed the situation plainly, saying the feature is simply “dead.”
The removal follows a period of significant controversy for Google’s AI health tools. An investigation found that the AI Overviews displayed to billions of users monthly contained inaccurate and potentially harmful health information. While Google made limited changes after the investigation was published, the underlying concerns about AI-generated health content remain unresolved.
With a new edition of its health-focused event around the corner, Google is expected to announce further innovations linking AI and medicine. But the gap between the company’s public ambitions and its internal handling of controversial features continues to draw scrutiny. Sustained trust in Google’s health AI products will require a more honest and proactive approach to public accountability.