Google Debuts Real-Time Voice Search in AI Mode

Google has officially launched its new “Search Live” feature, now available in AI Mode for users in the United States. This tool allows people to speak directly with Google Search and receive real-time responses in audio format, along with relevant web links.

The feature was initially previewed during the Google I/O event and is now being introduced as part of the tech giant’s Labs experiments. Through this rollout, Google aims to make search more interactive and conversational by enabling users to talk to search in a more natural way.

Search Live is designed to simulate real-time conversations. Users can ask questions using their voice and receive spoken answers back, making the search experience quicker and more intuitive.

In addition to audio replies, users will still receive standard search results in the form of clickable links. This ensures that while the interaction feels like a conversation, it retains the depth and detail of traditional Google Search results.

The technology is currently limited to users accessing Google’s AI Mode in the United States, with no confirmed date yet for a wider release. However, given the popularity of voice assistants and smart devices, a global rollout is expected to follow in due course.

Search Live is part of Google’s broader push to integrate generative AI into its core products. By bringing voice search to the next level, Google hopes to bridge the gap between AI conversations and traditional web browsing.

The AI Mode itself is still experimental, and Google is likely gathering feedback from early users to fine-tune its capabilities and user interface. As such, users might see changes or improvements to the tool over the coming months.

This new functionality may appeal particularly to those who prefer speaking over typing, such as people on the go or those using smart home devices. It could also enhance accessibility for users with visual impairments.

As more tech firms explore real-time AI interactions, Google’s move positions it ahead in making voice-driven search a practical and useful everyday tool. Search Live could well become a key feature in how we interact with information online.

For now, users interested in testing Search Live can try it through Google’s Labs programme if based in the U.S., while others may need to wait until it becomes more widely available.

Google has begun rolling out a new feature called Search Live, which forms part of its AI Mode Labs experiment. This innovative tool introduces voice interaction into Google Search, allowing users to engage in more natural and conversational queries.

With this update, users can now speak directly to Search and receive responses in real-time. Alongside these spoken replies, relevant web links are provided, helping to maintain the depth and utility of traditional search results while adding a more interactive layer.

The feature was first previewed during Google’s I/O developer conference, where it gained attention for its potential to reshape how people interact with search engines. As of today, it has officially launched for users in the United States through Google’s experimental Labs programme.

This development marks another step in Google’s push towards more intuitive, AI-driven experiences, enhancing how users retrieve information online. While it’s currently only available in the U.S., there’s growing anticipation for a broader international release in the near future.

How Search Live Voice Works

You can now try out Google’s new Search Live feature directly from the Google app, available on both Android and iOS devices. This latest development brings a more conversational experience to mobile users, making it easier to find information using your voice.

To get started, simply open the Google app on your device. Just beneath the search bar, you’ll see a new “Live” icon. Tapping this will activate the feature, allowing you to begin a voice-based search session.

Once activated, users can speak their questions aloud and receive AI-generated audio responses. This transforms the usual search experience into a hands-free interaction, ideal for multitasking or when typing isn’t convenient.

Google has revealed that this functionality runs on a customised version of Gemini, the company’s AI model, which includes advanced voice capabilities tailored for real-time conversations.

One of the standout features is its ability to remember previous queries within the same session, enabling users to ask natural follow-up questions. This makes the interaction feel much more like a real conversation than a standard search.

For instance, you might begin by asking how to prevent wrinkles in linen clothing while packing for a trip. If you’re still worried, you can easily follow up by asking what to do if wrinkles still occur, without having to repeat or rephrase your original question.

This memory-based system brings a new level of fluidity and context awareness to search, making it easier to explore topics in greater depth without starting over each time.

The overall experience is designed to be fast, accessible, and tailored to individual user needs, reflecting Google’s broader push toward AI-powered search enhancements.

Although the feature is still being rolled out, it’s part of Google’s experimental Labs initiative and is currently available to users in select regions, with a wider release expected in the near future.

Key Features & Functionality

One of the more convenient features of Search Live is its ability to continue running in the background, even while you’re using other apps. Whether you’re checking your emails, scrolling through social media, or switching between tasks, your voice-based conversation with Google won’t be interrupted.

To make interactions more flexible, Google has introduced a “transcript” button, which displays a written version of the spoken replies. This lets users seamlessly move between speaking and typing, depending on what feels easier in the moment.

Another useful aspect is that Search Live saves your conversation history. If you ever need to revisit a previous session, you can find it in your AI Mode history, which keeps track of your ongoing interactions with the feature.

As you use Search Live, any helpful web links related to your questions appear on the screen alongside the audio answers. This ensures that you’re not just getting information read out to you, but also have immediate access to source websites for deeper reading or verification.

These features combine to create a more interactive and intelligent search experience—one that’s designed to fit into the way we actually use our phones every day. Let me know if you’d like a blog title and meta description for this content as well.

Technology & Implementation

Google’s new Search Live feature is powered by a specially tailored version of its Gemini AI model, designed to work seamlessly with the company’s existing search technologies. This bespoke version enhances the interactive nature of voice-based searches, allowing for more dynamic and responsive user experiences.

One of the key innovations behind Search Live is what Google refers to as a “query fan-out technique.” This method enables the system to search across a broader range of sources simultaneously, helping users to access a more diverse set of results. The goal is to present different viewpoints and content types, enriching the information available during any single search session.

In the coming months, Google intends to expand Search Live with even more features. A major addition will be the integration of the device’s camera, allowing users to perform real-time visual searches. This upgrade is aimed at making interactions even more intuitive by combining visual and verbal inputs.

The concept of visual search was first previewed at the Google I/O developer event, and it promises to offer a powerful new way of engaging with the world around you. Imagine pointing your phone at an object, place, or situation, and being able to ask questions about it in real-time—all while receiving spoken and visual responses tailored to what you’re seeing.

These updates signal Google’s ambition to evolve search beyond traditional text inputs, blending speech, sight, and context into a more natural and fluid experience.

Why This Matters

The rise of voice-driven, conversational search could represent a major shift in the way people interact with search engines.

As Google continues to prioritise natural language queries, it’s becoming increasingly important for marketers to think beyond traditional keyword strategies. Optimising for how people speak—rather than just what they type—is now a critical factor in search visibility.

Even with spoken responses generated by AI, web links still accompany the answers. This means content creators should explore how their material appears in voice-led results and ensure it’s suitable for conversational use. It’s especially relevant as users are more likely to ask follow-up questions, creating extended dialogue with the search engine.

This evolution may also redefine how search intent is interpreted. Spoken queries often express more specific or detailed needs compared to standard typed searches, giving marketers a deeper insight into what their audience is actually looking for.