On March 5, 2025, Google unveiled its latest advancement in search technology, launching AI Overviews and introducing AI Mode as part of its commitment to enhancing user experience. With this development, the traditional 10 blue links seen on the search results page have been replaced by summaries generated entirely by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This shift marks a significant move away from conventional search results, aiming to provide users with more concise and informative answers.
The new AI Overviews, which use the upgraded Gemini 2.0 model, allow users to ask more complex questions. Starting with advanced mathematics and programming inquiries, Google aims to address users' needs for detailed explanations and nuanced responses. Launched initially for U.S. users back in May 2024, AI Overviews are now being expanded to provide support for various types of queries beyond general information.
Google has committed to offering AI Overviews to even more users, including teenagers who can access the feature without needing to log in. According to Robby Stein, Vice President of Product for Search, the introduction of AI Overviews allows people to ask different types of questions—questions they previously might not have thought to pose. He emphasizes, “We are seeing more complex queries.” Stein believes the addition of AI capabilities will greatly assist Google in effectively responding to queries needing sophisticated reasoning.
Along with the upgrade to AI Overviews, Google announced its new search functionality called AI Mode. This feature is still under trial and is only available for subscribers of Google One AI Premium, which costs $19.99 per month. It requires users to manually enroll through Google Labs to gain access. AI Mode presents pure AI-generated responses for users who enter prompts, providing results similar to what one might experience with chatbots, but with improved functionality for search tasks.
On AI Mode’s user interface, a dedicated tab allows users to input prompts just as they would with traditional Google searches. What’s distinct about AI Mode is its capability to interact with AI models trained explicitly for searching tasks, meaning the data gathered will be collected live, directly from the web. This innovative approach positions Google to compete not only with its historical search capabilities but also with AI-focused competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT search.
While many users may welcome these enhancements, concerns linger, especially among website owners and business operators. They fear the reliance on AI for retrieving content may lead to reduced web traffic, as users opt for AI-generated answers over traditional website visits. To address these concerns, Stein assures, “We see with AI Overviews, people will grasp the contexts, and they will click on the links. When they visit the sites, they will stay on those pages longer.”
Stein’s comments reflect Google's intention to not only provide quick and easy access to information but also retain meaningful engagement between users and the content they are seeking. By offering comprehensive summaries, users are expected to have more knowledge before they visit external websites, leading to higher-quality traffic.
Since the launch of AI Overviews, Google has been actively gathering feedback to refine this technology. This experiment continues to evolve as new features and enhancements to the Gemini model roll out. It’s clear Google is focused on enabling more productive interactions with its search engine, enhancing the overall user experience and making searches smarter.
This latest step reflects Google’s larger commitment to advancing to new digital frontiers, leveraging artificial intelligence to transform traditional processes. By prioritizing user engagement and contextual relevance, the tech giant is poised not only to reshape the future of search but also to redefine the ways information is acquired on the internet.
AI Mode and AI Overviews are intended not just as technological advancements but as tools to enrich users’ search experiences. Leveraging these enhancements, Google aims to maintain its competitive edge and address the changing dynamics of online querying.