Google Unveils AI Mode in India: A Revolutionary Leap in Search
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A New Era of Conversational Search
On June 24, 2025, Google officially launched AI Mode in India as an experimental feature within Google Search Labs. Already available in English, this mode empowers users to ask extended and nuanced questions—often 2 to 3 times longer than standard search inputs.
Supported by a customized version of Gemini 2.5, AI Mode leverages what’s called “query fan‑out”—dissecting a complex question into multiple sub-queries sent in parallel to extract deeper, richer results. Users receive summarized answers with links to explore further, enabling follow-ups without restarting their search journey.
Multimodal for a Multilingual Nation
Reflecting India’s diverse search habits, the feature supports voice and image-based input, tapping into Google Lens—a particularly popular tool here. For example, users can snap a photo of a plant and ask AI Mode, “What’s this plant, and how should I repot it?” The system will identify the plant and provide care instructions, along with follow-up context options.
Why It Matters: From Trip Planning to Product Comparison
This innovation caters to exploratory or research-driven use cases—such as trip planning, product comparisons, or hands‑on how-to tasks—that previously demanded multiple searches. By scaling the depth of search within a single seamless interaction, Google aims to boost user productivity and engagement by simplifying complex information retrieval.
Balancing Innovation with Accuracy
Google remains upfront about AI Mode’s experimental nature. When uncertainty is detected in the AI-generated answer, the system defaults to traditional search results, maintaining reliability while supporting fast-paced iteration. The program is currently only available in English via Search Labs, with hints of local-language support under consideration.
Strategic Response to Rising AI Search Rivals
Google’s move aligns with growing competition from AI-centric search platforms such as ChatGPT and Perplexity. By embedding advanced reasoning, multimodal inputs, and follow-up interactions directly into Search, Google seeks to offer a more intuitive experience that keeps users within its ecosystem.
What Lies Ahead
As Google gathers feedback from Indian testers, enhancements are expected—particularly in regional language support, accuracy adjustments, and interface refinements. Early indicators suggest AI Mode may increase engagement around complex queries by roughly 10% in trials .
Google’s AI Mode launch in India is a significant milestone in search evolution. With its powerful reasoning engine, voice/photo support, and AI‑driven summaries, it marks a shift toward more natural, human-centric search. While still experimental, this initiative highlights Google’s ambition to lead the next generation of intelligent, multimodal search experiences in one of its most critical markets.
