Google removed a search feature that relied on artificial intelligence to present amateur health advice from strangers, according to three sources familiar with the decision. The product, called “What People Suggest,” was part of Google’s effort to make health search feel more community-driven but was quietly taken offline without a public announcement. The company has since confirmed its removal, though the explanation given has not fully satisfied observers.
The feature debuted at a high-profile Google health event in New York in spring of last year. Karen DeSalvo, then Google’s chief health officer, described the feature’s purpose in a blog post, framing it as a way for users with chronic conditions to benefit from shared experiences. The AI-powered tool scanned online discussions, grouped content into digestible themes, and surfaced them for health searches.
When asked to explain the removal, Google cited search interface simplification and denied any safety motivation. But the company’s own evidence for public disclosure fell apart when the referenced blog post turned out not to mention the feature at all. The transparency gap has drawn sharp criticism from digital rights observers who follow health AI closely.
This sits within a broader pattern of concern about how Google handles health information in the AI era. Earlier this year, an investigation found that AI Overviews — Google’s AI-generated search summaries — were spreading false health information to billions of users. Google made some adjustments following that investigation but has not fully resolved the underlying concerns about AI-generated medical content.
As Google gears up for its next health-themed event, critics are watching to see whether the company will acknowledge the failures of the past year or press forward with unchecked optimism about AI in healthcare. A more honest and accountable approach, including transparent handling of product discontinuations, would be a meaningful first step. Until then, questions about the safety and reliability of Google’s health AI tools are unlikely to go away.