Gemini 3 Takes Over Google AI Overviews

Google has confirmed that Gemini 3 is now the default artificial intelligence model used to power AI Overviews in regions where the feature is available. This update represents a major shift in how Google delivers AI-generated answers directly within its search results.

With this change, users can expect AI Overviews to provide more detailed, thoughtful, and accurate responses. Gemini 3 brings stronger reasoning abilities and improved understanding of complex questions, making it better suited for both everyday searches and in-depth topics.

Google has also introduced a new feature that allows users to ask follow-up questions straight from an AI Overview. Instead of starting a new search, people can continue the conversation and move seamlessly into AI Mode, keeping the same topic and context.

The company explained that testing showed users prefer a natural flow from a short answer into a conversational experience. This approach makes searching feel less like typing separate queries and more like having an ongoing discussion.

These updates were announced in a Google blog post, where the company revealed that AI Overviews now reach more than one billion users worldwide. By switching to Gemini 3, Google aims to improve the quality and usefulness of AI-powered answers on a global scale.

Gemini 3 brings the same reasoning technology that previously powered AI Mode into AI Overviews. This means that the intelligence behind longer, more advanced conversations is now being applied to shorter summary-style answers in standard search results.

Robby Stein, Vice President of Product for Google Search, stated that Gemini 3 is being rolled out globally as the default model. He said this will allow more people to access high-quality AI responses directly from the search results page when it is helpful to do so.

Gemini 3 was first launched in November and was immediately added to AI Mode. The latest update expands its use beyond AI Mode and makes it the main system behind AI Overviews, increasing its presence across Google Search.

Another important improvement is the ability to move smoothly from an AI Overview into AI Mode. Users can now click and ask follow-up questions while keeping the context of the original response, which avoids repetition and saves time.

Google explained that people use Search for many different purposes. Some users only need quick answers such as sports scores or weather updates, while others want to explore complicated subjects in greater depth.

The new design aims to support both types of searches within one experience. Users can stay with a short AI Overview for simple questions or move into a longer conversation when they want more detailed explanations.

Earlier testing of this transition between AI Overview and AI Mode took place on mobile devices worldwide in December. Results showed that users found the experience more natural and easier to use compared to starting new searches each time.

Google also found that keeping the original context in follow-up questions made searches more useful. This allowed users to build on previous answers instead of repeating information they had already provided.

Since AI Overviews were first launched, Google has steadily increased the role of artificial intelligence in search. Each update has made it easier for users to rely on AI-generated responses rather than traditional blue links alone.

When Gemini 3 was first introduced into AI Mode, it improved how Google handled complex queries and presented information in flexible layouts. Bringing this same model into AI Overviews could change how sources are selected and how answers are structured.

This update is especially important for website owners and publishers to watch closely. Changes in the AI model may influence which websites are cited in AI responses and how visible certain pages become in search results.

Google has said the rollout is starting now, although availability may differ depending on location. The company has also hinted at future plans to automatically choose different models depending on the difficulty of a question.

In the long term, Google wants to use Gemini 3 for more complex tasks while relying on faster models for simpler searches. For now, making Gemini 3 the default for AI Overviews shows Google’s continued focus on building a more conversational and intelligent search experience.