They can't, it's an existential threat for them, just as they won't kill google search. They must integrate their index with the bot because somebody else will, too (looking at you, bing) and then it'll be a fast smooth ride downhill.

Yes, but that's a separate product from Bard: https://blog.google/products/search/generative-ai-search/

I believe this and bing chat with search are only the preface of the book of what's coming, but it's critical that iteration has even started.

I wish Bing could make Chat the default mode. I don't really search websites anymore. I check the references Bing Chat provides though.

i'm in the same boat somewhat. I used it a few times at launch and shelved it quickly just simply because I didn't feel like spending time to work toward becoming an expert in a product that's probably soon to be dead.

that anxiety towards google should probably be formally named by this point; i've talked to so many that express essentially the same feeling.