You probably can't remember your first Google search query, but you might need to remember the next one, as it could be your last "traditional" search!
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Google is testing an AI-only version of its search engine: the experimental version was released on Wednesday, March 5, for select users.
The new, radical version of the search engine removes the blue links we've become (so) accustomed to, and instead, Google offers AI-generated summaries in response to your search.
The feature is called AI Mode , and it’s available to Google One AI Premium subscribers (that’s the $19.99 per month plan that offers expanded cloud storage and exclusive Google AI tools). Users who want to give this AI feature a spin can enable it from the search results page by selecting a special tab next to existing options like Images and Maps .
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According to Robby Stein, Google's vice president of product, AI Mode was introduced in response to user feedback asking for AI-generated answers for a broader range of searches.
Unlike the typical AI Overviews, which appear incrementally above traditional search results in over 100 countries, the AI feature presents more detailed summaries along with links to cited sources. Instead of the familiar ten blue links, users are provided with a search bar designed for follow-up questions.
Google states that the AI feature is powered by a specialized version of the Gemini 2.0, optimized for complex reasoning and advanced query handling.
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The company's search business, which generated the bulk of Alphabet 's $350 billion in revenue by 2024, is under increasing pressure from AI-based competitors. Microsoft-backed OpenAI introduced search functionality to ChatGPT last October, posing a significant challenge to Google's dominance.
Source: phonearena
