Google just launched another AI-powered feature in Google Search: 𝗔𝗜 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲 is here, and it’s set to change the way we search.
After rolling out AI Overviews globally, Google is doubling down on AI-driven search to counter the growing popularity of AI-based research tools like ChatGPT Search, Copilot Search, and Perplexity.
Sundar Pichai was quoted last year saying that “2025 is going to be the biggest year for Search innovations,” with AI at the centre of it all. And this new AI Mode is another proof of that shift.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗜 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲?
AI Mode adds an optional filter tab, similar to Google Images or News, letting users switch from traditional search results to a chatbot-like experience. It’s essentially a more advanced, real-time version of Google's Gemini chatbot, seamlessly integrated into Search.
For now, AI Mode is exclusive to Google One AI Premium subscribers, costing $20 USD per month. It’s also only just an experiment (US only) so it might be a while before it lands on Aussie shores.
𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
👉🏼Another AI feature?! Google already has AI Overviews expanding and Gemini Chatbot still around. Is. AI Mode feels a bit redundant. But it's clear Google is testing multiple AI-driven search experiences to see what sticks.
👉🏼 A potential game-changer for Search? AI Mode is designed to answer complex questions in fewer searches, cutting down the time users spend bouncing between results. If it actually delivers accurate, high-quality answers, it could seriously change the way people interact with Google.
👉🏼 Referral traffic & attribution nightmares. AI Mode includes links, but let’s be real: few of us are actually clicking. If users get their answers without visiting sites, and Google won’t provide AI-specific reporting, tracking and attribution could become a challenge for brands.
👉🏼 AI-driven search & brand discovery. It’s clear AI-driven search is a major place of research & influence for users, shifting brand visibility from ranking on traditional SERPs to being mentioned, cited, and recommended by LLMs. Brands must ensure their content is accessible, structured, and authoritative if they want to maintain visibility in AI platforms.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝘀: driving visibility in AI Mode is likely the same approach to AI Overviews and Google’s Gemini chatbot. Brands that already perform well in traditional organic search are also likely to be favoured in AI-driven results.
Love it or hate it, AI-dominated search is here to stay. Now is the time to start thinking about how your brand appears in AI-generated answers. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to talk to your SEO team. They will know how to navigate this shift!
#google #aimode #seo #search
