Google has recently announced a new feature being tested globally, aimed at combining its AI summary with AI mode in search results. This new feature allows users to ask follow-up questions through a conversational interface after seeing AI-generated key information above the search results, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the topic.
This conversational feature is called AI mode, which Google launched for U.S. users in May and expanded globally in August, allowing users to have a ChatGPT-like conversation experience with Google's Gemini AI.
However, currently, users still need to consider the type of question they want to search for in advance. If users expect traditional search, they usually type their query directly into the search box; but if they want to explore a topic in depth, they must click to switch to AI mode.
Google now wants to test whether it is necessary to distinguish between these two experiences, as the process of information retrieval often leads to further exploration. Many users may initially think they are just asking a simple question, but after obtaining relevant information, they may have more questions.
According to Google's latest announcement, users will be able to "seamlessly dive into" AI mode without leaving the search results page. Currently, this test is being rolled out globally but is limited to mobile devices.
This release comes as Google's competitor OpenAI is also postponing other product launches to focus on improving the chat experience. With the Nano Banana image model and other improvements, Gemini's user count has exceeded 650 million as of November. Merging the conversation mode with the AI summary, which has 2 billion monthly active users, is expected to help Gemini gain a competitive advantage in the consumer market.
Robby Stein, Vice President of Google Search Products, stated on X: "Users should not have to think about how to ask a question." He further explained that users will continue to receive an AI summary as a useful starting point and can ask follow-up questions in a conversational way using AI mode on the same screen. He pointed out that this change allows users to express their questions more freely, no matter how complex the question, users can easily find the information they need.
Key points:
🔍 Google is testing a new feature globally, seamlessly connecting AI summaries with AI mode.
💬 Users can ask AI directly on the search results page, improving the convenience of information exploration.
📈 The user count of Gemini AI has reached 650 million, enhancing its competitiveness in the market.
