In classic search you type a question and click one of ten blue links. In AI Mode you write the question like a chat; Google runs several searches in the background and gives you a compact answer. Links to the sites the information came from appear in and beside the answer. You can ask by text, voice or a photo from your camera.
How it differs from AI Overviews
- AI Overviews are a short summary at the top of regular results; they appear without you asking.
- AI Mode is a separate tab you choose; it works like a full-page chat.
- AI Overviews are one answer box; in AI Mode you deepen the topic step by step with follow-up questions.
- Both show source links. See our separate article for how AI Overviews work.
How does it work?
Google describes an approach that splits a complex question into sub-topics and searches each one separately. For example, 'what to do with kids on a weekend in Kadikoy' can be split into venues, transport and age suitability and searched separately. The results are combined into one answer, and you continue by asking the next question.
What it means for businesses
Your customers can now ask longer, more detailed questions. A chain like 'is teeth whitening painful, how many sessions, can I do it while pregnant' becomes a conversation rather than one search. Simple factual questions may be exhausted inside the summary, while people who want to book, get a quote or hear from a trusted expert may still click a source link. That makes both clear answers and deep, specific information on your site more important.
What you can do to be visible
- Make sure your pages can be indexed and shown with a snippet; Google says there are no other special requirements.
- Put a short summary at the top of each page that answers the customer's question in the first paragraph.
- Collect common questions in a visible FAQ section.
- Write price, duration and address as text, and keep markup consistent with the page.
- Keep your Google Business Profile current; it is an important source for local questions.
- Write original content that shows your real experience, photos and expertise.