Google is set to introduce its AI Mode search engine tool to the public, starting with a small group of users in the United States. The company revealed plans for this rollout today, indicating that users will begin seeing an AI Mode tab in Google Search “in the coming weeks.” This development will allow a limited audience to engage with the search-oriented chatbot outside of Google’s experimental Labs environment.
Unlike traditional search engines that return a list of URLs based on user input, Google’s AI Mode aims to provide direct answers using AI-generated responses derived from the vast information in Google’s search index. It represents a shift from the AI Overviews currently integrated into Google Search, which present a summary of AI-generated content between the search input and web results.
The AI Mode will be prominently featured under its own dedicated tab, positioned at the beginning of the Search tab lineup, preceding options like “All,” “Images,” “Videos,” and “Shopping.” This new feature is Google’s competitive response to search engines utilizing large language models, such as Perplexity and the search functionalities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which are optimized for leveraging web access and real-time data to deliver pertinent and timely information.
Additionally, Google will eliminate the waitlist for Labs users in the United States, enabling a broader user base to participate in testing the AI Mode search functionality before its full launch.
Recent updates to AI Mode include enhancements that allow users to save previous searches in a new left-side panel. This will facilitate quick navigation back to past topics or enable follow-up inquiries without initiating a new session. The feature will also present visual and interactive cards for businesses and products, displaying vital information such as operating hours, reviews, images, inventory status, shipping details, and current pricing for shoppable items.
Correction, May 1st: A statement about the necessity of a Google One AI Premium subscription for accessing AI Mode in Labs has been removed. This requirement has been lifted.
