Google Introduces New Heat Alerts in Search to Keep People Safe During Heat Waves

On Tuesday, Google revealed that it is introducing new heat alerts in its search results to provide people with information to help them stay safe during heat waves. The feature will be rolled out in the coming months and will display information on when a heat wave is expected to begin and end, along with tips for staying cool and warnings about potential health risks. Google has partnered with the Global Heat Health Information Network to ensure that the information displayed in the alerts is accurate.

The search giant has been displaying alerts for natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes for several years, and it is now expanding to include heat waves. This move follows a record-high global search interest in heat waves in June 2022.

In addition to the heat alerts, Google also announced that its Tree Canopy tool, which combines AI and aerial imagery to help cities understand their tree coverage and plan urban forestry initiatives, has expanded from 14 cities to nearly 350 cities worldwide, with plans to expand to thousands more this year.

Google has also launched new features to help users verify information on Search, including "Perspectives" and "About this author," while expanding some of its current tools like "About this result." Two weeks ago, the company announced a new feature to help people find affordable healthcare centers near them in Search by displaying a label that reads "Free or low-cost care" under medical clinic names that offer such services.