Google Introduces AI Mode for Search: Smarter, Personalised, Visual Results

158
02 May 2025
5 min read

News Synopsis

Google is significantly enhancing its Search experience with a new feature called AI Mode, designed to give users more detailed and personalised results directly within the familiar Search interface. This rollout marks a step forward from the AI Overviews currently seen at the top of some search results.

What Is AI Mode in Google Search?

AI Mode integrates real-time search data with advanced artificial intelligence, enabling users to pose more in-depth and multi-faceted questions while receiving personalized, context-aware responses tailored to their specific needs.This can be particularly useful for planning activities like vacations, where information such as weather, flights, and local attractions is consolidated into one smart result.

“We’re removing the waitlist so anyone in the US can now get immediate access to AI Mode in Labs,” said Soufi Esmaeilzadeh, Director of Product Management for Google Search.

AI Mode Available to Labs Users in the US

Previously limited to a small user base via Google Labs, AI Mode is now open to all Labs users in the United States. However, this still represents only a fraction of total users.

To access this feature from India or any country outside the US, you’ll need to register with Google’s Experimental Labs.

Key Features of Google’s AI Mode

Personalised Results With Follow-Up Support

AI Mode is capable of handling follow-up questions, enabling users to refine their search journey without starting from scratch. It’s ideal for topics that require ongoing research, such as comparing health insurance plans or making major purchases.

Rich Visual Cards for Businesses and Products

In addition to text results, Google is introducing visually-rich cards featuring key information such as:

  • Ratings

  • Opening hours

  • Price and promotions

  • Real-time product availability

These enhancements are powered by Google’s Shopping Graph, which tracks over 45 billion product listings and updates 2 billion entries every hour to ensure accuracy.

Tap for Details and Instant Actions

Users can tap on any card to:

  • Make a phone call

  • Get directions

  • Explore reviews

  • See more product details

This makes it easier to take immediate action based on search results.

Desktop Sidebar for Revisiting Past Searches

For desktop users, Google is introducing a left-hand panel that allows users to revisit previous search sessions, especially helpful for long-term research like trip planning or home purchases.

“So many of the questions people ask are part of longer-running tasks and projects, and often they want to get back to the information they found. So now, we're making it easier to jump right back in on desktop,” Google’s blog post reads.

AI Mode’s Multimodal Strengths on Mobile

Google highlights that AI Mode works particularly well for multimodal queries — searches involving both text and images — on mobile devices.

Still an Experimental Feature, but Expanding

While AI Mode is still housed within Google Labs, a limited group of users in the US will begin noticing an AI Mode tab in the main Search interface — indicating that Google may be preparing for a broader release in the near future.

“We’ll continue to quickly improve and evolve AI Mode based on your input,” added Esmaeilzadeh.

Context: Google Faces Antitrust Scrutiny in the US

This AI Mode update arrives as Google is embroiled in a major antitrust lawsuit in the United States. A judge has ruled that the tech giant is a monopolist in the search engine market, and the case is now in its remedies phase, where there's potential for Google to be forced to sell Chrome or the Chromium platform.

Conclusion: Google’s AI Mode Redefines Search for the Future

Google’s AI Mode marks a significant evolution in how we interact with search engines. By blending artificial intelligence, real-time data, and personalised experiences, Google is transforming Search into a dynamic assistant capable of understanding context, offering layered insights, and guiding users through complex tasks effortlessly.

With features like visual product cards, follow-up queries, session history, and mobile-optimised multimodal inputs, AI Mode not only makes information easier to find but also more actionable. While still in its experimental phase, its gradual rollout hints at a broader shift in how search will work in the AI-driven future.

As the tech giant continues to refine this feature based on user feedback, AI Mode could soon become a central pillar of the Google Search experience worldwide—offering smarter, more human-like assistance at your fingertips.

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