What’s the New Update
- Google is now testing a feature that combines its existing AI Overviews with conversational “AI Mode” directly in search. Instead of seeing a static summary and then having to switch to chat or another interface for follow-ups, users can now dive deeper in the same screen.
- The change is rolling out globally (on mobile for now), with a new “Dive deeper in AI Mode” button appearing under AI Overview results.
- Under the hood, this combines Google’s AI-generated summaries (which already used Gemini) with a chat-style interface powered by Gemini (now upgraded to “Gemini 3” / “Nano Banana Pro” for paying users in many countries).
In effect – Google wants to make search feel less like clicking through links, and more like talking to a smart assistant that can answer follow-ups instantly.
Why This Matters – For Users, Publishers, and the Future of Search
What Users Could Gain
- Faster, more fluid research: You get a quick summary first, and if you want more details – just chat. No need to open new tabs or filter through dozens of articles.
- Better for complex queries: For things like planning travel, comparing products, or deep-dive research, a back-and-forth conversation (asking follow-ups) is often more helpful than static search results.
- All in one place: Instead of bouncing between search results, chat windows, and maybe extra pages – everything stays in one view, more like a conversation than a browsing session.
What Could Change – Especially for Writers / Web Publishers
- Less traffic to websites: If people get full answers inside Google’s AI interface, they may skip clicking through to actual webpages – which could reduce visits to blogs, articles, and other content sources.
- SEO may not be enough: Traditional SEO tricks might lose some power – high-quality, well-structured content might still be cited by AI “answers,” but click-through might drop. Content creators may need to adapt to the “AI-search era.”
- Greater reliance on Google’s AI judgment: Instead of letting users decide which source to trust, Google’s AI will decide what to show – which raises the bar for accuracy but also increases responsibility.
What Google Says and What’s Still Unclear
Google’s Product VP for Search, Robby Stein, said the idea behind merging AI Overviews and AI Mode is simple: you shouldn’t have to think whether to search or chat. Just ask what you want – and get an answer, immediately.
But:
- Google hasn’t published any public data yet showing how this affects web traffic, publisher earnings, or quality of sources used in AI answers.
- For users needing deep dive research (academic, medical, legal) – we don’t yet know how reliable or transparent AI-mode results will be compared to reading source documents themselves.
What This Means for the Future of Web Search
This feels like a turning point for how people will find information online:
- Search might shift from “click → browse → read multiple articles” to “ask → get an answer → ask follow-up.”
- The role of traditional websites may evolve: fewer clicks, but being “AI-friendly” (clear, well-structured, trustworthy content) might become more important than ever.
- Publishers and creators may need to rethink: content might not get as many pageviews – but it could still matter if the AI “cites” it as a source.
- Users – especially in fast-moving spaces like tech news, travel planning, tutorials – might rely less on traditional browsing and more on conversational search.
Conclusion: Google’s test signals that AI-native search might soon be the default way we Google – and real browsing could become the exception.
