Google makes AI mode a core part of its search experience

Google’s AI Mode for Search is rapidly moving beyond its experimental phase and into mainstream integration. Initially a limited Labs feature, this expansion makes Google’s AI-powered search capabilities accessible to all US users without requiring waitlist approval, signaling the company’s confidence in the technology and accelerating the shift toward AI-enhanced search experiences.

The big picture: Google is removing the waitlist requirement for AI Mode in Search across the US, transitioning the feature from a limited experiment to a widely available tool.

• The company is gradually integrating AI-powered results directly into standard Search, making the technology accessible even to users who haven’t explicitly opted in.
• This rapid mainstreaming of AI Mode comes just two months after its introduction as a Labs experiment in March, indicating Google’s confidence in the feature’s performance.

Key upgrades: Google is enhancing AI Mode with new functionality that improves the search experience through conversation history and shopping features.

• Users can now access a search history panel that allows them to resume previous conversation threads, creating a more persistent and contextual search experience.
• The update delivers improved product information, including better access to business listings and in-store availability details for shoppers.

Why this matters: The accelerated timeline for AI Mode’s expansion demonstrates Google’s strategic commitment to embedding AI capabilities throughout its core search product.

• By making AI-powered search more accessible, Google is responding to competitive pressure from other AI-enhanced search engines and standalone AI assistants.
• The move represents a significant step in Google’s broader initiative to transform traditional search into a more conversational, context-aware experience.

What to watch: As AI features become more integrated into standard search results, users may increasingly engage with Google through natural language conversations rather than traditional keyword searches.

• The removal of access barriers suggests Google is satisfied with AI Mode’s performance and prepared to scale the technology to its massive user base.
• This expansion sets the stage for further AI integration across Google’s product ecosystem.