Google Launches AI Mode: A New Era for Google Search

Google has launched AI Mode, its latest feature that transforms how users interact with Google Search. Released in May 2025, AI Mode marks a significant step toward more interactive, personalized, and in-depth AI-powered search. In this article, we’ll explore what AI Mode is, how it differs from AI Overview, its impact on website owners, and the new SEO strategies that need to be adopted.
What is Google AI Mode?
Google AI Mode is a new search experience powered by generative AI, allowing users to interact with the search engine through conversation. Built on the latest AI models, AI Mode can understand complex questions, respond with comprehensive summaries, and continue the discussion with follow-up questions.
This feature not only summarizes answers automatically but also enables users to explore topics more deeply without multiple separate searches. AI Mode is accessible via a dedicated tab or AI icon on the Google Search page.
Google describes it as the “most powerful AI Search”, with advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities on the search platform.
Note: As of June 2025, AI Mode is only available to users in the United States or via invitation through Search Labs.
What Are the Key Features of Google AI Mode?
There are 6 advanced AI features in Google AI Mode:
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Deep Search
AI Mode can run hundreds of searches in parallel, reason across multiple sources, and generate comprehensive, verified reports in minutes. -
Live Capabilities
Real-time visual search using a camera—users can interact with AI about what they see, such as snapping a photo and asking questions about the object. -
Agentic Capabilities
AI Mode can perform tasks like buying tickets, filling out forms, or handling repetitive work—making it more than just a search assistant. -
AI Shopping Partner
Offers interactive shopping experiences like virtual try-ons, personalized recommendations, and automated checkout support. -
Personal Context
Provides more relevant suggestions based on user search history and can integrate with Gmail and other Google apps for contextual results. -
Custom Charts
Advanced data visualization—AI Mode can automatically generate graphs or diagrams based on search results or collected data.
AI Mode vs. AI Overview: What’s the Difference?
Though both use AI to summarize information with source links, they serve different purposes:
Feature | AI Overview | AI Mode |
---|---|---|
Interaction Style | One-shot snapshot | Multi-turn conversation |
Trigger | Appears automatically | Accessed manually via tab/icon |
Answer Depth | Brief and quick | Detailed, deep, and extendable |
User Interface | On search results page | Chatbot-like interface |
Follow-up Support | Not available | Available, with contextual memory |
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AI Overview: Gives a short summary at the top of the search result for eligible queries.
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AI Mode: An interactive chat-style mode where users can dive deeper into the topic with follow-ups.
AI Overview uses older generative models and only processes text, while AI Mode uses Gemini 2.5 with multimodal input support (images, camera, etc.).
What is the Impact of AI Mode on Google Search Users?
According to a survey by Android Authority (1,255 respondents), 54% prefer using AI Mode over traditional search.
Real-world impacts include:
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Improved Convenience & Efficiency
Users get instant, relevant summaries without opening multiple tabs or websites. -
More Natural, Conversational Searches
It feels more like talking to a personal assistant. -
More Personalized & Contextual
Recommendations based on user history for more precise results. -
Visual & Real-Time Interaction
Image-based searches through the live camera bring instant info about surroundings. -
Changes in Shopping Behavior
Features like virtual try-on help users make purchase decisions faster. -
Risk of Overdependence
There’s a concern that users may rely too heavily on AI and skip diverse perspectives. -
Higher Engagement
Google’s data shows that users feel more satisfied and use Search more frequently. -
Growing Usage Over Time
Adoption increases as users adjust to smarter, more flexible search patterns.
How Does AI Mode Impact Website Owners?
AI Mode presents challenges as Google shifts from being a “search engine” to a “answer engine.”
According to Impact Statistics, websites have seen an 18% to 70% drop in clicks due to AI providing direct answers, caused by:
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AI answers appearing above traditional blue links
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Users finding AI responses sufficient
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AI summaries fully answering user queries
However, opportunities also emerge:
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New Monetization Models via Targeted Traffic
Even with fewer clicks, the remaining traffic is more qualified and easier to convert. -
Positioning as an Authoritative Brand
Being cited in AI answers builds trust and opens up B2B or premium affiliate opportunities. -
Digital Product Diversification
With the demand for high-quality, in-depth content, site owners can create ebooks, online courses, or paid webinars.
How Does AI Mode Affect SEO Strategy?
AI Mode significantly reshapes SEO by emphasizing context, authority, and user intent over keywords.
Key impacts:
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From Keywords to Entity-Based SEO
Google now focuses on entities (people, places, concepts) and how they relate.
Strong presence in the knowledge graph is critical. -
Intent and Context Over Exact Phrases
Content must meet deep user needs, not just target keywords.
Holistic topic coverage (topical authority) is essential. -
Content Must Be High-Quality and Trustworthy
To be cited in AI answers, content must demonstrate:-
Expertise
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Credibility via trusted references
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Accuracy and structured information
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From Content to Context
Content strategy must optimize structure, sentence order, and NLP (Natural Language Processing) for better AI comprehension. -
From Long Narratives to Q&A Format
AI Mode favors direct question-answer formats.
Short, clear answers improve chances of citation—ideal for FAQ, snippets, and modular info blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions about AI Mode
When will Google AI Mode launch in Indonesia? Is it on Search Labs?
As of now, Search Labs access is not yet available in Indonesia. For reference, AI Overviews launched globally in May 2024 but reached Indonesia in October 2024. Updates are available at blog.google.com.
Can we trust results from this AI generator?
While AI improves accuracy, errors can occur due to:
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Biased or unclear questions
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Faulty source documents
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Algorithm limitations
Will this feature also be in the Gemini App?
Gemini is the name of Google’s AI model family (replacing PaLM 2). Gemini App and AI Mode are two distinct products:
Feature | Gemini App | AI Mode (Google Search) |
---|---|---|
Form | Chatbot app (like ChatGPT) | Feature inside Google Search |
Purpose | All-purpose AI virtual assistant | AI-powered web search |
Interaction | Chat-style | AI + search result hybrid |
Focus | Productivity, docs, ideas | Info and answers from the web |
Conclusion
Google AI Mode is not just a new feature—it’s a leap forward in the evolution of search.
With its conversational nature, contextual understanding, and multimodal integration, AI Mode fundamentally changes how users interact with information—and how content creators must respond.
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For users: faster, more relevant, and more personal search.
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For content creators: a call to transform—from keyword chasing to entity authority, from long-form writing to valuable, concise answers.
SEO must now evolve beyond traffic and volume, focusing on intent, conversation, and answer quality. Those who adapt will unlock new opportunities for visibility, conversion, and market trust.
The new era isn’t about fighting AI—it’s about collaborating with it.
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Viktor Iwan adalah CEO dan pendiri Doxadigital Creative Digital Agency. Dia juga merupakan pembicara dan pelatih publik dalam berbagai acara pemasaran digital seperti “Social Media Week”, “Tech in Asia”, “WordCamp”, “SEOCon”, “QuBisa Bootcamp”, dan “Google Agency Bootcamp”. Viktor Iwan memiliki sertifikasi Google Ads, Facebook Lead Trainer, Facebook Media Buying and Planning, dan Google Analytics. Dia juga menjadi salah satu dari 5 Product Expert Google Ads asal Indonesia oleh Google Inc. Viktor Iwan juga memiliki website pribadi di viktoriwan.com.