Google's AI Mode Transforms Search Forever | Image Source: blog.google
– Yes. 06, 2025 – Google has officially begun to expand access to its long-awaited experience in AI mode, a radical transformation of its search engine that could redefine how users interact with online information. The new feature, initially available to Google One AI Premium subscribers, marks an important step towards a more AI-oriented research experience.
What is Google’s AI mode?
AI Mode is an experimental update to Google Search that benefits from a custom version of the Gemini 2.0 AI model. According to Google, this new mode is designed to provide more advanced reasoning, deeper understanding of context and better multimodal capabilities. Essentially, it takes the concept of A Summarys - a feature already used by more than a billion people – and extends it considerably.
Instead of simply presenting a list of links, AI Mode synthesizes the search results in a summary generated by AI, providing users with a more conversative and interactive experience. Users can participate in AI, ask follow-up questions and explore related questions without having to refine their search terms manually.
Who can access AI mode?
For now, AI Mode is in an early trial phase and is limited to Google One AI Premium pay subscribers. Anyone can join the waiting list of the research laboratory, but priority access is given to these premium users. Once access is granted, users receive an email notification.
On the desktop, AI mode is accessible via a dedicated button on the carousel filter at the top of the search results. On the mobile, it appears as a button under the search bar next to Google Lens and Sound Search shortcuts.
How does AI mode work?
Users can interact with AI mode through text and voice input. However, AI only produces textual responses at this stage: the camera entry is not yet available. Google has also incorporated visually appealing elements, such as a bicycle text cursor in blue, red, yellow and green Google company colors.
One of the major changes is the removal of the traditional search bar once a query is made. Instead, users see their request at the top of the page, and the response generated by AI takes the central stage. A source carousel appears at the top and bottom of the mobile results, while desktop users see a right information panel.
How are the research results presented?
AI Mode organizes results differently from traditional Google search. Although traditional research is based on the family format “10 blue links”, AI mode provides a summary response with integrated links to sources.
- Search history: Users can access past AI-generated queries through a dedicated AI Mode history button.
- Interactive elements: Each line of AI-generated text features a link icon, allowing users to navigate directly to sources.
- More engaging responses: Google plans to integrate richer formatting, images, and videos into AI responses over time.
According to Google, AI Mode is particularly effective for consultations that require further exploration, comparisons and multi-step reasoning. It is designed to answer nuanced questions that may have required multiple searches before.
How is AI compared to AI descriptions?
AI summaries have already changed how users interact with Google Search by summarizing search results at the top of the page. AI mode is based on this base offering a deeper and more interactive approach.
Unlike AI Previews, AI Mode allows users to ask follow-up questions and refine their consultations in real time. It also draws information from a wider range of websites and uses advanced reasoning to generate more detailed responses.
Google’s VP product, Robby Stein, noted that AI mode is still in its experimental phase and will undergo rapid improvements based on user feedback. “This new search mode expands what AI Insights can do, allowing users to address more complex questions with AI responses and useful web links,” he said on a blog.
Does AI mode threaten traditional research?
The introduction of AI mode raises concerns about the future of traditional Google research. By summarizing information directly in the search results, AI mode could significantly reduce the number of clicks to external websites.
Many companies and content creators depend on Google Search’s organic traffic. Switching to AI-generated summaries may affect their visibility and income. According to Reuters, Chegg online education company has already faced challenges due to AI’s search features, as users now get answers directly from Google rather than visiting educational sites.
Google is aware of these concerns and has emphasized that it will continue to direct users to high-quality web content. AI mode highlights links with sources, although early testers observed that the number of visible links varies depending on the type of consultation.
What do users say about AI mode?
The first AI testers shared mixed reactions. Some users appreciate the simplified experience and detailed responses, while others are concerned about the possible reduction of web traffic.
A key criticism is that AI mode sometimes omits web links in its responses. While Google has assured users that more carousel link will soon be added, this inconsistency has raised concerns among content creators.
On the positive side, AI has proven to be very useful for product comparisons, travel recommendations and complex research topics. A Google demo showed AI mode generating a detailed comparison table for smart rings, smart watches and sleep tracking mats, a feature not yet available in the current deployment.
What’s next for AI mode?
Google said AI is just the beginning. The company is already working on several improvements, including:
- More visual content: Future updates will incorporate images, videos, and richer formatting.
- Expanded access: AI Mode will eventually roll out beyond Google One AI Premium subscribers.
- Improved reasoning: AI Mode will continue refining its responses to complex and multi-step queries.
Despite continuous improvements, it is clear that Google is pushing for an IA-based research experience. The question remains: will users accept this change, or will concerns about web traffic and accuracy of information create negative reactions?
For now, AI is the next important step in the evolution of research. If you succeed in reshaping how we find the information remains to be seen.
