On Tuesday, Google unveiled an enhancement for the Chrome application, streamlining access to the AI Mode—a chatbot-style feature designed for in-depth discussions on various subjects, transcending the limitations of the traditional keyword-based search experience.
This update introduces a distinctive AI Mode button positioned conveniently beneath the Google Search bar, adjacent to the Incognito mode toggle, when initiating a new tab in Chrome on both iPhone and Android devices.
Initially, this feature will be rolled out to users in the U.S., with plans for an expansive introduction to 160 countries in the near future, accompanied by enhanced language support, including Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.
The modification to the user interface is relatively subtle. Starting a Google Search will render AI Mode accessible as a separate menu in regions where it has been launched.
Unlike Google’s omnipresent AI Overviews—which appear indiscriminately atop Google Search results—the more practical AI Mode is purely optional. Users must actively select it to engage with Google Search in a manner akin to utilizing Gemini or ChatGPT.
Consequently, the introduction of this button shortcut is pivotal in the Chrome app for the aforementioned platforms, facilitating user discovery and utilization of the AI Mode for specific search queries. It is vital to note that AI Mode does not function as a standalone app on iPhone or Android.
However, it is worth mentioning that the Google Search UI modification is exclusive to the Chrome application. Despite its popularity, some users may prefer alternatives to Chrome on their mobile devices.
What Can AI Mode Do for You?
Regardless of Chrome preferences, the efficacy of AI Mode as a robust tool integrated within Google Search is indisputable. Initially launched in March in a preview mode for Google Search Labs users, AI Mode received a broader release at the I/O 2025 event in May.
In the subsequent months, Google enhanced AI Mode with support for the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, as well as a comprehensive research function akin to those offered by Gemini and ChatGPT.
The company further expanded AI Mode’s availability across more regions and introduced agentic capabilities in August, including features like restaurant reservations.
In September, visual search functionalities were incorporated into the AI Mode, with new agentic features launched earlier this week, enabling users to purchase tickets and book beauty and wellness appointments.
In essence, Google is progressively augmenting the capabilities of AI Mode, thus incentivizing more users to engage with this aspect of Google Search.
Individuals familiar with the nuances of ChatGPT and Gemini will likely appreciate having similar chatbot functionalities available within Google Search, provided that it serves as their preferred web search platform.
While users can continue to perform standard Google Searches using keywords, AI Mode offers the flexibility to switch to a conversational interface when exploring complex topics, ensuring uninterrupted access to conventional Google Search results.
Source link: Bgr.com.
