Google AI Mode Set to Become Default Search

Logan Kilpatrick, Google’s lead product manager, recently suggested that AI Mode could soon become the default way people experience Google Search. However, Google later downplayed this comment, hinting that such a move may not be as immediate as his remark implied.

Back in May 2025, Liz Reid, the head of Google Search, confirmed that AI Mode represented the future direction of the search engine. Kilpatrick’s “soon” comment, made in response to a post on X, has therefore sparked speculation that the shift could be closer than many expected.

The timing of his statement followed Google’s update that users can now access AI Mode directly by visiting google.com/ai. Previously, searchers had to go through the main Google homepage and select the AI Mode tab. This shortcut makes the feature far more prominent.

Over the past few months, Google has expanded AI Mode’s reach rapidly. It is now available across 180 countries and territories, including major markets such as the UK, the US, and India. This worldwide rollout highlights how central AI Mode has become to Google’s long-term search strategy.

So, what exactly is AI Mode? It functions as an additional tab within Google Search, designed to provide a more AI-driven interface. According to Google, it is particularly useful for queries that require deeper exploration, reasoning, or side-by-side comparisons. Instead of users having to gather information manually, the system presents a comprehensive, AI-generated response.

Behind the scenes, AI Mode relies on a method Google calls “query fan-out.” This approach launches multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources simultaneously. The results are then combined into one response, offering greater breadth and depth than traditional searches.

AI Mode also embraces multimodal search capabilities, meaning users can query not just with text but also with voice and images. In addition, it allows for conversational follow-up questions, much like what has been seen with AI Overviews and Gemini.

For marketers and SEO professionals, one challenge is tracking performance within AI Mode. Although the data is logged in Search Console, Google groups it with traditional search activity. This makes it difficult to separate AI Mode traffic from regular searches, leaving reporting somewhat muddled.

Since AI Mode has now rolled out beyond Search Labs in India, more data is becoming available in Search Console. Still, the way Google aggregates it means businesses will have a harder time drawing clear insights from the numbers.

If AI Mode does eventually become the default search experience, the implications for SEO could be huge. It would require many digital marketers to rethink their strategies and adapt to a more AI-driven environment. The traditional approach to ranking and visibility may not be enough in this new landscape.

The message from many in the industry is clear: resisting change won’t work. Complaints aside, businesses will need to experiment, adapt, and evolve their strategies to remain relevant. Those who fail to adjust risk being left behind as Google pushes further into AI-first search.

Fortunately, SEOs are known for being quick to test new tools and strategies. This adaptability will be essential for navigating the future of search as AI continues to reshape the way information is presented online.

That said, not everyone inside Google seems convinced AI Mode will automatically become the default any time soon. Robby Stein, Google’s Vice President, urged people not to overinterpret Kilpatrick’s remark. He stressed that the company’s focus right now is on making AI Mode easily accessible for those who choose to use it, rather than forcing it on everyone.

This back-and-forth has left some uncertainty about exactly when or if AI Mode will fully replace the traditional search experience. Still, with the pace of change accelerating, businesses and users alike will be watching closely to see how Google’s next steps shape the future of search.