News: Google AI Mode is here: What it does and how you can use it ...
Google has introduced a major upgrade to how people search for information online with the launch of AI Mode—a new feature that turns traditional keyword-based search into a chat-style experience. Accessible via the Search Labs section of the Google app, AI Mode is designed to respond more naturally to complex questions, allowing users to get detailed, interactive answers rather than a static list of links. The feature made its official debut with a special Google homepage animation, reflecting its importance as a turning point in the evolution of Search.
Instead of simply matching keywords, AI Mode uses a tailored version of Google’s Gemini model to interpret questions, break them down, and respond with deeper context and clarity. “AI Mode is where we will first bring our frontier capabilities into Search,” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai, during the company’s developer conference earlier this year.
What makes AI Mode different?
Once activated, AI Mode introduces a new tab in the Google Search interface, offering a dynamic back-and-forth conversation. This makes it particularly useful for multi-part queries, where traditional search might fall short. The technology behind it—called “query fan-out”—enables the system to interpret layered questions and provide natural, cited responses. For example, asking something like “What’s the best AI tool for writers?” may generate a conversational answer with expert sources, user reviews, and links for further exploration. AI Mode is also multi-modal, meaning it supports not only text but also voice and image inputs—enhancing its usefulness across a range of devices and user preferences.
Key features now and next
Some of the most notable capabilities include:
Deep Search:Provides comprehensive answers to complex questions by analyzing multiple sources and using advanced reasoning.
Shopping assistance:
Helps users explore products conversationally and includes features like virtual try-on for fashion items.
Data visualization:Generates AI-powered charts and summaries for topics like finance, sports, and trends.
App integration:With user consent, AI Mode can connect with services like Gmail or Calendar to tailor responses—for instance, suggesting restaurants near your next appointment. This feature is optional and fully user-controlled.
A shift in how we search
AI Mode builds on earlier experiments like AI Overviews, which introduced short generative summaries in standard search results. The new mode, however, represents a more ambitious step—it creates an entirely new way to interact with Search, focused on depth, reasoning, and dialogue. “This is the future of Google Search—a search that goes beyond information to intelligence,” said Elizabeth Reid, Google’s Head of Search. Many of AI Mode’s capabilities are expected to become a standard part of the core Google Search experience over time, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to making search more adaptive and intelligent.
Who is AI Mode for?
Not all search habits are the same, and AI Mode isn’t aimed at replacing traditional search entirely. According to Eugene Levin, President of SEO analytics platform Semrush, AI Mode is most effective for research-heavy or exploratory queries, where follow-up questions are common. For quick fact lookups or accessing a specific website, standard search might still be faster. “The percentage of people who want to use AI Mode for everything is going to be surprisingly low,” Levin told CNET. Users will likely switch between AI and classic search depending on the situation.
What it means for everyday users
AI Mode reflects Google’s evolving vision of what a search engine should be: not just a tool to fetch information, but a digital assistant that can understand context, respond intelligently, and guide users through discovery. Whether you're comparing products, seeking recommendations, or looking for in-depth insights, AI Mode offers a fresh, conversational approach.
With this latest update, Google is signaling that the future of search lies in understanding, not just indexing—and AI Mode may well be the beginning of that transformation.
