Google launches new 'AI mode' search feature in UK
So, Google's finally rolling out their new AI Mode search feature in the UK. About time! I've been watching this rollout since they first launched it in the US and India, and honestly, it's a pretty big shake-up for how we all use search.
Instead of those familiar blue links we've all gotten used to, folks who opt for the AI Mode will get conversational answers with way fewer links to other sites. It's kinda like chatting with a smart friend rather than scanning through a library index. The tool uses Google's Gemini platform to generate these responses - pretty fancy stuff.
Don't panic though - this isn't replacing the regular Google search we all know. That thing still handles billions of searches daily. AI Mode will just be an option you can select from a tab or within the search box itself.
But here's where it gets tricky. Businesses and publishers are freaking out a bit, and I can't blame 'em. Think about it - they've built entire business models around getting traffic from Google searches. The Daily Mail claims they've already seen clicks from Google drop by around 50% since the AI Overview feature launched. Yikes!
Google's product manager for search, Hema Budaraju, hasn't quite figured out how advertising will work with AI Mode yet. Will companies be able to pay to be included in AI-generated responses? Nobody knows. But she thinks this will create "newer information-seeking journeys" that weren't possible before.
The AI search experience is definitely changing how we look for stuff. Remember when you'd type "clean carpet stain" a couple years back? Now people are typing full sentences like "I spilled coffee on my Berber carpet, I'm looking for a cleaner that is pet friendly." The AI Mode UX is designed for these more natural queries.
I've noticed search behavior in 2025 is getting more conversational anyway. People are already turning to ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines for quick answers - even though those answers aren't always right!
There's some concerning data too. A Pew study suggested people only click through to websites once in every 100 searches when there's an AI summary at the top. Google says that research is flawed, but still... that's a massive traffic impact if true.
And let's not forget the environmental impact of AI search. These systems need huge data centers that guzzle power and water. Budaraju claims Google's committed to sustainability, but the jury's still out on that one.
For now, AI Mode is optional in the UK. But I think we're seeing the future of search unfold right before our eyes. The question is: will the advertising model for AI search evolve to support the websites that provide all that information in the first place? Or are we watching the beginning of a major disruption to how the internet works?
What do you think? Is Google's AI Mode going to change how you search? Drop me a comment below!
