Google Search gets an AI upgrade in India

Google’s new AI Mode, powered by the Gemini 2.5 model, enhances traditional search by delivering conversational, synthesized responses to complex, multi-part queries, eliminating the need for multiple searches or navigating through several websites for contextual information

Google has begun the phased rollout of its AI Mode feature in Search for users across India, marking a significant step in integrating generative artificial intelligence into everyday internet queries. This development follows its initial debut in the U.S. earlier this year and subsequent availability via Search Labs in India during June.

The newly introduced AI Mode enhances traditional search capabilities by generating comprehensive, conversational responses to complex queries. Instead of offering a list of links, the feature provides a synthesized, AI-generated answer that draws from multiple online sources. The move is aimed at users seeking deeper, contextual information without the need to navigate multiple websites.

Powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 language model, AI Mode is designed to interpret and address multi-part or exploratory questions—those that would typically require several searches. For example, a user asking for travel suggestions within a budget or comparing tech products will receive a detailed summary, complete with insights, suggestions, and source links for further reading.

Voice, text, and visual search

Accessing the feature is straightforward. Users can activate AI Mode via a new tab that appears in the Search interface or through the search bar in the Google app. It supports voice queries, typed questions, and even image-based prompts using Google Lens. A typical use case might involve snapping a photo of a plant and asking for care tips, with the AI offering identification, instructions, and links to additional resources.

According to Google, early testers of AI Mode in India tended to input much longer and more specific queries than usual. These ranged from seeking career advice to planning entire itineraries. To support such queries, Google’s system employs a process known as “query fan-out,” which dissects the user’s input into multiple sub-questions, searches the web, and integrates the results into a cohesive answer.

At present, the AI Mode is available only in English, though Google has confirmed plans to support more Indian languages over time. The feature remains experimental and will display traditional search results alongside AI answers in cases where the system lacks high confidence in its output.

The rollout is expected to reach both mobile and desktop users in India gradually over the next several days.