What is Google AI Mode?
Google AI Mode is a conversational search experience in Google that answers complex questions with a longer AI-generated response, follow-up questions and cited web sources.
By the AIO Automatic team · Last updated
What is Google AI Mode?
AI Mode is a dedicated tab in Google Search that handles complex, multi-part questions conversationally. It uses query fan-out to run many searches at once across the Search index, then writes a detailed answer with links. Users can ask follow-ups, so a brand can be introduced, compared and recommended within one session.
How is AI Mode different from AI Overviews?
AI Overviews appear above normal results for some queries and give a short summary. AI Mode is a separate, chat-style experience for deeper questions, runs more sub-queries, and cites a wider set of sources. Both rely on Googlebot's index, so the same access, indexing and answer-first content work applies to each.
Our tool checks AI Mode and AI Overview results for client prompts. See the Gemini and AI Overviews guide.
| Aspect | AI Overviews | AI Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Top of regular results | Separate AI Mode tab |
| Length | Short summary | Longer, conversational |
| Follow-ups | Limited | Built in |
| Sources | A few links | Wider set of citations |
Frequently asked questions
Does AI Mode use a different index?
No. It uses Google's Search index, retrieved through many fan-out queries.
Can you track AI Mode rankings?
Yes, by running prompts and recording which domains are cited. We include AI Mode in client reporting.