Google's AI search mode arrives in India: Here’s how to supercharge your search

Google today announced the experimental rollout of its advanced "AI Mode" in Search for users in India, marking a significant shift in how information is accessed and consumed.

For years, Google Search has been the ubiquitous gateway to the internet, primarily functioning as a sophisticated index of web pages. Users would typically search queries, receive a list of relevant links, and then navigate through various sites to combine the required information. AI Mode, powered by a custom version of Google's Gemini 2.5 large language model, that lets users ask “longer, more complex and nuanced questions,” which would previously have required a bunch of searches.

The essence of AI Mode lies in its ability to comprehend intricate, multi-faceted questions that would traditionally necessitate a series of fragmented searches. Consider a query such as: "What are the optimal travel routes from Mumbai to Goa for a family of four, including kid-friendly stopovers and accommodation options for a week-long trip in December?"

Instead of a series of links, AI Mode leverages its advanced reasoning capabilities to present a concise, AI-generated overview, replete with pertinent details, contextual information, and actionable links for deeper exploration. This "query fan-out" technique, as Google describes it, simultaneously processes various subtopics and data sources, resulting in a much richer, more comprehensive response.

What makes this rollout particularly noteworthy for the Indian market is Google's strategic emphasis on multimodal input. Recognising the widespread adoption of voice and visual search in India -- Google Lens, for instance, sees more monthly users in India than in any other country -- AI Mode seamlessly integrates these capabilities. Users can now articulate complex questions verbally or even initiate searches by uploading images. Imagine capturing a photograph of an unfamiliar landmark and asking, "What's the history of this monument, and what are its visiting hours?" The AI Mode will be able to process both the visual and textual input to deliver a more cogent answer.

How to use AI Mode

Currently available in English as an experimental feature within Google Search Labs, users can opt-in to experience this transformative shift. The process is straightforward: simply navigate to “labs.google.com”. Then, turn on “AI Mode”. Once switched on, you will be able to try this for yourself by selecting “Try AI Mode”. This can also be enabled by selecting the AI Mode tab on top of your search results.