Google AI Mode Launched in India - What You Need to Know

Google Launches AI-Powered Search in India

Today marks the introduction of Google’s AI mode, a search experience centered around question-and-answer interactions, to users in India. The company emphasizes that this functionality remains experimental. Access will require users to actively enroll through the Search Labs program.

Initial Availability and Language Support

Currently, the AI mode accepts queries formulated in English. Google has not yet announced plans for incorporating support for Indian regional languages, nor provided a timeline for such additions.

Capabilities of the New Search Mode

The AI mode is designed to handle intricate, multi-faceted questions. For example, users can pose inquiries like, “My children are aged 4 and 7 and possess high energy levels. What inventive methods can be suggested to encourage their physical activity indoors, particularly during periods of intense heat, without requiring substantial space or costly equipment?”

Furthermore, the system allows for subsequent, clarifying questions to refine the initial search results.

Evolution of AI Mode

Google initially began testing the AI mode with its premium user base in the United States earlier in the year. Following the Google IO event, a wider rollout to all U.S. users commenced. Subsequent updates have included a shopping feature, support for voice and image-based searches, and the integration of advertisements.

India-Specific Features and Technology

Recognizing the prevalence of voice search in India, Google has enabled voice and image search capabilities within the AI mode for Indian users. The underlying technology powering this feature is a customized version of the Gemini 2.5 model.

Early adopters of the AI mode are demonstrating a trend towards more extensive queries, with question lengths increasing by a factor of two to three.

India as a Key Market and Testing Ground

With a substantial internet user base exceeding 870 million, India represents a significant market for Google. It also serves as a valuable environment for observing how users with diverse linguistic backgrounds interact with its products.

Competition and Google’s Strategy

Despite maintaining a dominant position in the search market, Google has observed a growing adoption of conversational AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. The introduction of AI mode aims to attract users who prefer this type of interface to Google’s own search offerings.

Related Google AI Initiatives

Beyond AI mode, Google is actively promoting features like AI overviews, which provide summarized responses to search queries. The company reported in April that over 1.5 billion users globally are utilizing AI overviews.

Recent reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that Google’s AI features may be negatively impacting publishers, leading to declines in traffic from organic search results.