July 1, 2025
Reading time: 12 minutes
Google AI Mode: How to Win Traffic in the New Search Era
Google AI Mode merges classic search with a built-in assistant that answers, cites, and chats back. Early tests show longer queries, richer answers and… fewer clicks to websites. But less traffic doesn’t have to mean fewer leads.
This guide breaks down the shift and the actions you should take today.
This guide breaks down the shift and the actions you should take today.
What is Google AI Mode?
Google AI Mode is a fresh search option (rolling out across the U.S.) that turns any query into a live conversation.
Powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, it breaks your question into dozens of mini-searches (“query fan-out”), pulls real-time data from across the web, and returns a clear answer with source links you can check. You can ask by typing, speaking, or even showing it a photo, then keep the thread going with follow-up questions.
Powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, it breaks your question into dozens of mini-searches (“query fan-out”), pulls real-time data from across the web, and returns a clear answer with source links you can check. You can ask by typing, speaking, or even showing it a photo, then keep the thread going with follow-up questions.
Google AI Mode vs. AI Overviews vs. Classic Search - how are they different?
Classic Search
AI Overviews
AI Mode
List of blue links
One-shot AI summary above links
Full chat-style answer with follow-ups
Depends on the page you click
Brief paragraph or two
Multi-step reasoning and comparisons
Indexed web pages
Top-ranking pages
Gemini 2.5 + “query fan-out” pulls dozens of live sub-queries at once
Typed keywords
Typed keywords
Type, voice, or image (multimodal)
Click to another site
No follow-up inside box
Ongoing Q&A thread right in SERP
Standard text & Shopping ads
Experiments in progress
Ads tested inside conversational flow, targeting longer “task” queries
Key takeaways:
- Ranking isn’t just about top 10 links anymore; visibility now includes being cited or summarized inside AI answers.
- Customers may finish their research without ever leaving Google. Your brand still needs to surface - ideally as a cited source or recommended product.
Google AI Mode features
1. Query fan-out retrieval
AI Mode explodes your question into dozens (sometimes hundreds) of related searches, then fuses the findings into one cohesive answer - giving users more depth than a single query ever could.
2. Gemini 2.5 reasoning
The newest Gemini model handles nuanced comparisons (“smart ring vs. smartwatch vs. sleep mat”) and advanced tasks like coding or math explanations.
3. Multimodal inputs
You can type, talk, snap a photo, or upload an image and get context-aware results - handy for product identification or live how-to help.
4. Deep Search (Labs)
For tough research jobs, Google AI Mode can run hundreds of searches and return an expert-level, fully-cited report in minutes (great for competitive analyses or white-paper prep).
4. Search live camera chat
Point your phone camera, ask a question in real time, and get instant explanations plus resource links.
5. Agentic tasks & smart shopping
Ask it to “find two lower-level Reds tickets under $80 for Saturday” and AI Mode will crawl inventory, apply your filters, and surface purchase links - saving several manual steps.
6. Personal context (opt-in)
Connect Gmail or past searches so Google AI Mode can tailor restaurant picks to your usual cuisine or surface events near your booked hotel.
7. Custom charts & data visuals
For sports, finance, or any dataset Google tracks, the AI Mode can auto-generate interactive graphs so users grasp numbers quickly.
How to access Google AI Mode?
Getting into AI Mode is easy, but the path depends on whether the feature has rolled out to your account yet (and also in your country).
If the AI Mode tab already shows up
- Open Google Search on desktop (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) or the Google app.
- Look for the new “AI Mode” tab just under the search bar.
- Click or tap it, and you’re in. No extra sign-ups required.
If you don’t see the tab yet
- Join Search Labs (labs.google.com/search) with a personal Gmail account.
- In Labs, toggle on “AI Mode”. This puts you on the early-access list.
- Re-open Google Search or the Google app; the tab should appear.
- Mobile only: update the Google app to the latest version first.
How to use Google AI Mode?
- Enter a question as usual (text, voice, or image).
- Review the AI answer at the top. It’s a concise summary with clickable citations.
- Ask follow-ups in the Ask anything… box to refine or branch the conversation.
- Tap a source link when you need the full article.
💡 Growth Tip:
Every follow-up query counts as a fresh “mini-search,” so structure your content in bite-sized, well-cited sections that can be lifted into answers.
Every follow-up query counts as a fresh “mini-search,” so structure your content in bite-sized, well-cited sections that can be lifted into answers.
How to remove AI Mode from Google?
Google doesn’t offer a single “off” switch, but you have three practical options:
Method
What to do
When it helps
Use the “Web” filter
After searching, click/tap Web (next to All). This hides AI answers and shows classic links only.
Quick one-off search.
Turn off the Labs toggle
Visit Search Labs → toggle AI Mode off. Refresh Google Search.
You had enabled AI Mode manually.
Browser tools / custom search
Install a Chrome/Firefox extension like Hide Google AI Overviews or create a custom search engine with &udm=14 to force Web results.
Power users who never want AI results.
Signing out or using Incognito also suppresses personalized AI Mode results, though you may still see AI Overviews for certain queries.
SEO Impact: What to look forward to & what to change in your SEO strategy?
Google AI Mode changes the game, but you can still win through updating your SEO strategy.
1. Your Search Console numbers will look “bigger” but fuzzier
Clicks and impressions from AI Mode now flow into the regular Web Search bucket, so the line graph may jump without clear labels. Keep an eye on sudden swings and add notes in your reports.
2. Fewer clicks when the AI answer nails it
Even 60% of searches end without any click because the AI Overview already answered the question. Expect the same across many info queries, so each click you do earn is worth more.
3. Broader, well-structured pages rise to the top
AI Mode breaks every question into lots of smaller searches (Google calls this query fan-out). Pages that cover a topic in depth with clear headings, lists, and tables - give the AI more info to quote.
4. EEAT and schema are “must have” now
Show real expertise (author bios, credentials) and add FAQ / How-To / Product schema. The AI trusts sources it can verify quickly.
5. Talk like a conversation
Open each article with a straight answer, then add detail. Drop in natural follow-up prompts (“Need a cost breakdown?”) because users can ask the AI follow-up questions right away.
How to prepare for Google AI Mode?
- Audit your top pages – add clear H2s, bullet lists, and schema.
- Build small FAQ clusters around each core topic.
- Refresh bios and cite data to boost trust.
- Track weekly – run test searches to see if you’re quoted in Google AI Mode.
- Sync with paid search – long, chat-style queries are also ad spots now, so align copy and landing pages.
Are you ready for Google AI Mode?
Google isn’t waiting, and neither should you. Run through this quick checklist:
- Do your top pages answer the main question in the first two lines?
- Is your structured data (FAQ, How-To, Product) up to date?
- Can visitors see real author expertise and fresh sources?
- Do you track weekly shifts in clicks and impressions?
- Do you have a partner ready to test and tweak as AI Mode grows?
F.A.Q
What is Google AI Mode?
Google AI Mode is a new search setting that swaps the usual list of blue links for an AI-generated answer you can chat with. It uses a custom version of Gemini 2.5 plus a “query fan-out” method that runs dozens of micro-searches at once, then cites the best sources in real time.
How do I turn on Google AI Mode?
- Sign in with a personal Gmail account (Workspace logins don’t work yet).
- Go to Search Labs (labs.google.com/search) and switch on AI Mode.
- Refresh Google Search or the Google app; the new AI Mode tab will appear.
Where is Google AI Mode?
On desktop and mobile, the AI Mode tab sits to the left of the “All” tab, often appearing first in the row of search filters. If Google has rolled it out to your account, you’ll see it as soon as you load the results page.
How do I use Google AI Mode?
- Type, speak, or snap a photo of your question.
- Read the chat-style answer and tap any cited link for full details.
- Ask follow-up questions in the “Ask anything…” box to refine results. The AI keeps context, so each follow-up feels like a natural conversation.
How can I remove or avoid AI Mode in Google?
- Toggle it off in Search Labs: open Labs and switch AI Mode to “Off.”
- Use the “Web” filter after any search to hide AI responses for that query.
- Install a browser extension (e.g., “Hide Google AI Overviews”) or add &udm=14 to the search URL to force classic results.
Google AI Mode vs. AI Overviews - what’s the difference?
- Placement: AI Overviews appear as a short box above the regular links; AI Mode lives in its own tab and takes over the full results view.
- Model version: AI Overviews run on Gemini 2.0, while AI Mode uses the newer Gemini 2.5, giving it stronger reasoning skills.
- Depth of response: AI Overviews give you a quick, one-shot summary; AI Mode lets you keep the conversation going with follow-up questions.
- Inputs supported: AI Overviews handle typed text only; AI Mode also accepts voice and images.
- Availability: AI Overviews are automatically shown on many queries; AI Mode is still rolling out -look for the “AI Mode” tab or enable it in Search Labs first.
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Karol Andruszkow
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21
Karol is a serial entrepreneur, e-commerce speaker, and founder of 3 startups. He advised hundreds of companies and led projects worth over EUR 50 million for financial institutions across Europe.
He earned two master's degrees – Computer Science and Marketing Management – in Poland and Portugal. He has 10+ years of experience in Silicon Valley, Poland, Portugal, USA, and UK, helping startups, financial institutions, and SMEs improve operations through digitization.
He earned two master's degrees – Computer Science and Marketing Management – in Poland and Portugal. He has 10+ years of experience in Silicon Valley, Poland, Portugal, USA, and UK, helping startups, financial institutions, and SMEs improve operations through digitization.
Karol Andruszkow
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21
Co-founder and CEO of Concept21
Karol is a serial entrepreneur, e-commerce speaker, and founder of 3 startups. He advised hundreds of companies and led projects worth over EUR 50 million for financial institutions across Europe.
He earned two master's degrees – Computer Science and Marketing Management – in Poland and Portugal. He has 10+ years of experience in Silicon Valley, Poland, Portugal, USA, and UK, helping startups, financial institutions, and SMEs improve operations through digitization.
He earned two master's degrees – Computer Science and Marketing Management – in Poland and Portugal. He has 10+ years of experience in Silicon Valley, Poland, Portugal, USA, and UK, helping startups, financial institutions, and SMEs improve operations through digitization.
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