Google has launched its AI-powered search mode in India, giving users a new way to interact with search results using conversational queries. The feature, which is still in the experimental phase, allows users to opt in via Search Labs and begin using a more interactive, Q&A-style search interface—starting with English support.
For users in India, this means they can now ask complex questions like, “My kids are 4 and 7 and have lots of energy. Suggest creative ways to get them active and moving indoors, especially on hot days, without needing a lot of space or expensive toys.” In response, Google’s AI mode offers detailed answers, and users can ask follow-up questions to refine those results.
While the current version only supports English, Google hasn’t yet announced when it will expand to include local languages—a move that would significantly increase accessibility across India’s diverse user base.
What is Google AI Mode and How Does It Work?
The AI mode, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, first debuted in the U.S. earlier this year with premium users. It has since become more widely available after the Google I/O event, with features like voice search, image-based queries, shopping results, and even ads integrated into the experience.
Google says voice and image support are active in India from day one, acknowledging the high usage of voice search in the region. The AI mode is designed to understand longer, more detailed questions, and early testers have reportedly been submitting queries that are 2–3 times longer than typical searches.
Why India, and Why Now?
With over 870 million internet users, India is not only one of Google’s largest markets but also a critical testbed for how its tools are adopted in multilingual environments. By introducing AI mode here, Google can observe how people naturally engage with conversational search—especially in a country where digital habits are shaped by mobile-first experiences and a patchwork of local languages.
This move is also strategic. As chat-based AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity gain popularity, users are gradually shifting away from traditional keyword search. Google wants to bring those users back with its own conversational interface—one that’s built into its dominant search engine.
Beyond AI Mode: Google’s Push Toward AI-Powered Search
The launch of AI mode in India follows Google’s broader rollout of AI Overviews, which provide summarized search results at the top of the page. As of April, over 1.5 billion users globally have experienced these AI-driven summaries.
However, not everyone is thrilled. Publishers have expressed concern that these AI features are diverting traffic from their sites. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, some are already feeling the sting of reduced organic search visibility due to these changes.
Still, for everyday users, Google’s AI mode may represent a helpful shift. It blends the speed of traditional search with the fluidity of conversation—letting people ask more human questions and get richer, more tailored answers.
