Google has officially launched its AI Mode in India, marking a major step forward in the company’s ambition to redefine how people search the web.
Following a limited release in the U.S. earlier this year, the AI-powered search feature is now available in English through Google Labs in India, allowing users to test what Google calls its “most advanced search experience yet.”
But this isn’t just another smart assistant upgrade. AI Mode transforms how you interact with Google Search — especially when your questions go beyond quick facts or one-liners.
From Simple Queries to Complex Conversations
Built on a customized version of Gemini 2.5, AI Mode is designed for nuanced, layered queries — the kind that used to require multiple searches. It breaks down your input into sub-questions, fans them out across multiple sources, and compiles a detailed, AI-generated response enriched with context, links, and follow-up prompts.
During early testing, Google saw that queries were 2–3x longer than usual, with users asking things like:
“My kids are 4 and 7 and have lots of energy. Suggest creative indoor activities for hot days — nothing expensive or space-consuming.”
The system handles questions like this by blending Google’s AI with its vast search infrastructure — tapping into the Knowledge Graph, real-time product data, and deep content links to generate structured, actionable answers.
Multimodal by Design: Voice, Images, and Text
AI Mode doesn’t just process typed input. Google has built it to be multimodal — meaning you can search using your voice, photos, or uploaded images.
For example, snap a photo of a plant and ask:
“What plant is this, and how do I take care of it?”
AI Mode not only identifies it, but also gives tailored care instructions — from watering routines to placement recommendations — along with links to relevant content. You can follow up instantly with more detailed questions, creating a truly conversational flow.
India, where voice and visual search are already widely used, is a natural testbed for this kind of multimodal innovation. In fact, Google says India leads the world in Google Lens usage.
Why This Matters: From AI Overviews to AI Mode
If AI Overviews — Google’s existing feature that blends AI answers with traditional search — was step one, AI Mode is step two.
Over 1.5 billion people now use AI Overviews monthly. In markets like India and the U.S., these features have driven more than 10% growth in engagement for complex queries. AI Mode builds on that foundation with deeper reasoning, a more conversational interface, and smarter content discovery.
It’s still early, though. Google is positioning this rollout as a Labs experiment, acknowledging that responses won’t always be perfect. In cases where AI confidence is low, users will still see traditional search results. But the feedback loop is key: the company is actively collecting input to refine performance.
The Bigger Picture: Search Becomes Personal and Exploratory
More than just another AI chatbot, AI Mode is part of Google’s long-term push to evolve Search into something more intuitive and human-centered. With tools like Gemini, Lens, and now AI Mode working in sync, the company wants to turn Search into a place for exploration, not just lookup.
This could redefine how we think about content discovery, shopping, learning, and even task planning — particularly in mobile-first, multilingual markets like India.
Try It Now
AI Mode is now live in India through Google Labs. Users can sign up and start asking detailed questions via voice, text, or images through the Google app.
As Google VP Hema Budaraju noted, the goal isn’t just speed — it’s usefulness.
“This launch is a crucial part of our journey to make Search more helpful for everyone, especially when the questions are complex or open-ended.”
