Revolutionizing search with longer, more natural queries, voice and image support, and smart Q&A features.
June 25, 2025 | New Delhi — Google has officially launched its experimental AI Mode in India, aiming to transform the way users search online. Designed to provide smart, conversational answers to complex queries, the feature is now available through Search Labs, a testing hub for Google’s latest innovations.
A Smarter, More Intuitive Search Experience
Indian users who opt into the feature can now explore a more dynamic, Q&A-style search interface, capable of answering multi-part questions and follow-up queries. For example, users can ask something like, “My children are 4 and 7 and full of energy. Can you suggest indoor activities that don’t require much space or money, especially during hot summer days?”
Unlike traditional keyword searches, this AI-powered mode is designed to understand context, break down complex requests, and offer creative, personalized responses. Users can also ask follow-up questions to refine their results — mimicking a natural conversation.
Powered by Gemini 2.5 and Optimized for India
Under the hood, the feature runs on a custom version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 AI model, allowing for deeper understanding and smarter responses. Voice and image search are also enabled in India, acknowledging the country’s strong preference for voice-based interactions.
With over 870 million internet users, India represents a crucial market for Google. The country’s diverse, multilingual population makes it an ideal testing ground for the future of AI-powered search.
Although the tool currently supports only English queries, Google has hinted at future expansions that could include regional language support, a move that would greatly increase accessibility.
From the U.S. to India: The AI Mode Journey
Google first introduced AI Mode earlier this year to a limited group of premium subscribers in the United States. After showcasing its capabilities at the Google I/O event, the tech giant expanded the feature to a broader audience in the U.S. and has since added voice search, image integration, shopping recommendations, and even ads within the AI interface.
Notably, Google reported that early users of AI Mode are typing queries that are 2–3 times longer than traditional search inputs — a signal that users are adapting to this more natural, chat-like method of information retrieval.
Competing in the Age of AI Chatbots
With platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI gaining popularity for their conversational search capabilities, Google is positioning AI Mode as its answer to shifting user expectations. The company hopes that users who prefer chat-style interactions will turn to its in-house solution rather than third-party tools.
Additionally, Google continues to expand features like AI Overviews, which deliver summarized responses to standard searches. As of April, over 1.5 billion people globally have used AI Overviews — a testament to the rapid adoption of AI in daily online behavior.
A Growing Concern for Publishers
However, not all stakeholders are celebrating AI advancements. Reports, including one from the Wall Street Journal, have suggested that Google’s AI-generated results may be causing a decline in web traffic to content publishers — a concern that could reshape the digital publishing landscape.
What’s Next?
As Google experiments with AI-driven tools in India, the company is closely watching how users interact, especially in a country where voice-first and mobile-first behaviors dominate. If successful, this move could signal broader, global shifts in how search engines function and how users access information.
For now, interested users in India can access AI Mode by enrolling through Search Labs and begin exploring a new era of intelligent, personalized search.
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