Google has reportedly started reaching out to companies to make videos for a new "How To" feature for its virtual personal assistant.
A source told CNBC that the search company is in discussion with several brands to create videos for Google Assistant's brand new feature. It plans to showcase it at next month's I/O 2018, Google's annual conference for software developers.
Google Pitching 'How To' Videos To Brands
The new "How To" feature essentially shows videos with step-by-step instructions when a user asks Google Assistant how to do something.
"For example, Johnson and Johnson could create a video about how to bathe a baby, or Kraft could make a video with a recipe for cheese fondue," the CNBC report noted.
The videos will also be playable on non-Google devices that have Google Assistant installed. Last year, the company announced partnerships with JBL, Lenovo, LG, and Sony to launch new Google Assistant-powered smart displays equipped with front-facing cameras, which let users watch media and make video calls, similar to Amazon Echo Show.
Google To Make Money Off New 'How To' Feature Eventually
For the time being, Google is not asking for money to highlight videos created by brands. However, the new feature does pave the way for Google to make money off its smart assistant and its brand of smart speakers called Google Home.
As more and more people have started using these voice-activated devices, tech companies and advertisers alike are finding ways to cash in on the new trend. Google earns 85 percent of its revenue through advertising and it seems logical that the company would eventually charge brands for promoting their videos as a response to "How To" related queries by the users.
Google Home 2.0 To Be Unveiled At I/O 2018?
The new feature could replace Google Assistant's featured snippet response that appears at the top of the search results page when using the smart assistant.
However, given the video format of the new feature, it's safe to say that it's meant for the upcoming line of Google's smart displays or Google Assistant on smartphones as opposed to Google Home.
It could also serve as a further indication that Google is launching a new version of Google Home, which is equipped with a screen to rival Amazon Echo Show.
Last year, TechCrunch reported that Google has been working on a tabletop smart screen with Google Assistant, YouTube, and Google Photos integration.
