Google has introduced a dedicated ‘AI Mode’ for Google Search, functioning similarly to Perplexity. This feature lets users ask open-ended questions and follow up with additional inquiries to dive deeper into topics. The AI mode is now rolling out widely in the US, and Google has removed the waitlist, making it available for free to all users.
AI Mode is powered by a custom version of the Gemini 2.0 model, offering a more personalized experience compared to AI Overviews. While AI Overviews focus on summarizing webpages, AI Mode integrates web results with Gemini to provide tailored responses. Additionally, AI Mode allows for follow-up questions, a feature not available in AI Overviews.
The most notable change to Google Search’s UI is the introduction of a new tab for AI Mode, positioned first right before the “All” tab. While the “All” tab remains the default search view for now, Google may eventually make “AI Mode” the default search page.
You can visit labs.google.com/search/aimode to enable AI Mode for free. Google is also introducing product cards within AI Mode, likely in response to the recent launch of ChatGPT Shopping. With growing competition from ChatGPT Search and Perplexity, Google is leaning further into AI-driven web search experiences.
