Google Just Dropped AI Mode — And No, You (Probably) Can’t Use It Yet

Google has launched a shiny new feature called AI Mode, and in true Google fashion, it’s… not really available to most people. Yet.

Right now, you’ve got to be in the U.S., over 18, and opt in via Search Labs to even get a glimpse. So if you’re not checking all those boxes, you’re just going to have to imagine what it’s like to have a search engine that actually chats back.

But here’s the kicker: AI Mode isn’t some side hustle like those short-lived Google products we don’t talk about anymore (RIP Google+). This one? It might actually stick.

What Is AI Mode, Really?

At its core, AI Mode is Google Search… but reimagined with generative AI and a conversational interface. Instead of getting a list of links and calling it a day, you now get a curated AI-powered answer and the ability to ask follow-up questions like you’re talking to ChatGPT—but built into Google.

It runs on a custom version of Gemini 2.0 (that’s Google’s fancy new large language model, not a new zodiac-themed app, sadly), and it’s designed to make search feel more interactive, more helpful, and a lot more 2025.

Oh, and unlike AI Overviews, which only show up for certain searches, AI Mode works for everything. No limitations. Ask it about lunch spots, quantum physics, or how to start a skincare brand—it’s game.

So Why Should You Care?

Well, aside from the obvious “Google is quietly reinventing search again”, this changes a lot for businesses, marketers, and basically anyone who’s been riding the SEO wave.

Let’s break it down:

• Google still owns the internet. With a 93.57% share of the search market, they basically are the homepage of the web. When they change the rules, everyone plays catch-up.

• Users are already shifting. Gen Z isn’t exactly typing “best electric toothbrush” and clicking 10 links. They want answers. Fast. Conversational. Personalized.

• ChatGPT is pulling traffic. It’s now processing an estimated 37.5 million search-like prompts per day. That’s not nothing.

• AI Mode sends traffic (sometimes). Unlike the AI black holes of the past, this one includes source links. A study from NP Digital says traffic from generative AI jumped 123% between September 2024 and February 2025. So yeah—people are clicking.

How It Actually Looks

Imagine doing a Google search for something like “award-winning end-to-end global digital marketing agency” (because apparently people do that), and instead of the usual wall of ads and blue links, you get:

• An AI-generated overview

• Key suggestions and insights

• A prompt that invites you to ask better follow-up questions

It’s like search, but with small talk.

You can also switch into AI Mode like you’d toggle between “Images” or “Shopping.” No rocket science, just a new button and a slightly existential crisis for your SEO strategy.

What Should Companies Actually Do?

Aside from panic? Start planning.

• Rethink content for AI – It’s no longer just about keyword-stuffing and backlinks. It’s about being useful enough to get quoted by the robot overlords.

• Track AI referrals – Add AI-driven platforms to your analytics stack. If you’re not measuring it, you’re missing it.

• Test your visibility – Once you get access (or find a friend in the U.S. who owes you a favor), test how your brand shows up. Or doesn’t.

• Write like a human. For an AI. For a human. You get it.

AI Mode might feel experimental right now—but so did Google Search once.

If you’re building a brand, scaling a SaaS product, or just trying to stay visible while the internet shapeshifts beneath you, this is something to keep a close eye on.

The rules of discoverability are changing. Again. Let’s make sure you’re not still playing by the old ones.

Need help adapting your content or product for the age of AI search? We’re here for it—preferably before the bots make us obsolete.

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