Google’s AI Mode rolled out to all users in the U.S
Google’s AI Mode, the conversational chatbot feature initially launched in March for testing, is now being rolled out to all users in the U.S. According to Google executives, early feedback has been promising, with users engaging in deeper and more complex queries.
A tailored version of the Gemini 2.5 AI model, first introduced in March, will now power both AI Overview and AI Mode. This update enables the system to handle more advanced queries. AI Mode, in particular, uses a “fan-out” approach to search multiple sources simultaneously for better results.
Google reports that AI Overview—used by over 1.5 billion people—has led to a 10% increase in search activity in the U.S. and India. However, this shift to AI-generated summaries has sparked concern among publishers, who fear fewer users will click through to original content.
A recent report by the UK’s Press Gazette cited data from the Daily Mail, noting that AI Overview results drove roughly half the clicks compared to traditional search links—down 56% on desktop and 48% on mobile. While Reid didn’t provide specific clickthrough numbers, she emphasized that the visits coming from AI Overview are more meaningful, with users spending more time on those sites.
New Tools for Curious Users
Google is also offering experimental features through its Labs program. One such tool, called Search Live, builds on last year’s Project Astra and allows users to initiate searches using their phone camera. In one example, a bike mechanic used it to find a manual for a bicycle and then asked follow-up questions about specific parts.
Another new feature focuses on online shopping. With a virtual try-on tool, users can upload a full-body photo to see how clothing would look on them. AI Mode then conducts a fan-out search to find the best price and availability across retailers.
For those who want a more hands-off shopping experience, Google’s agentic AI can go a step further—locating the best deals and guiding users through checkout (as long as the store supports Google Pay). However, users must still manually confirm the purchase.
Another upcoming feature allows users to opt into personalized search results that can incorporate information from Gmail. This would enable searches to surface relevant data from your inbox, such as travel plans or receipts, but only when explicitly activated.
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