In a significant move announced yesterday, Google is rolling out early access to its innovative Search AI Mode experiment, specifically for Google One AI Premium subscribers. This exciting feature aims to enhance the search experience by integrating advanced AI capabilities.
While anyone can join the Search Labs waitlist, initial access to the AI Mode will be granted first to paid subscribers. Once you are eligible, you will receive an email notification. When you conduct a search, a new “AI Mode” button will appear in the filter carousel on the left side, allowing users to switch from traditional search results to this new, enhanced experience. For web users, the AI Mode can also be accessed directly at google.com/aimode, leading you to a chatbot-like interface featuring an “Ask AI Mode” text field.
One of the standout features of AI Mode is its visually appealing design, with the text cursor cycling through the four iconic Google colors. This vibrant aesthetic is consistent across all platforms, including Android and iOS.
On mobile devices, users can find the AI Mode button conveniently located beneath the search bar in the Home tab, positioned alongside the three shortcuts for Google Lens and Sound Search. However, it is noteworthy that this feature is not yet available on Android devices. In the top-left or right corner, users will find an “AI Mode history” button, providing access to a list of previous queries and the option to revisit past searches.
The AI Mode experience is enriched with eye-catching animations in blue, red, yellow, and green. These animations enhance the interaction, particularly when inputting queries via voice and awaiting results. Uniquely, your query appears prominently at the top of the page, which may feel unusual for long-time Google Search users accustomed to seeing a search bar above their results.
On mobile, the AI Mode showcases a carousel of sources at both the top and bottom of the interface, while desktop users will see a right-hand card displaying similar information. Notably, most lines in the response include a link icon for easy navigation.
The AI Mode currently accepts both text and voice inputs on mobile devices, though it only outputs text responses at this stage. Additionally, camera input functionality is not yet available. Looking ahead, Google is actively working on introducing new capabilities and updates to AI Mode, such as incorporating more visual responses with images and videos, richer formatting, and innovative ways to access helpful web content.
In summary, the rollout of Google's AI Mode marks an important evolution in the search landscape, promising to offer a more interactive and visually engaging user experience.
