Google Expands AI Mode in Chrome with New Mobile Shortcut for Smarter Search

Google AI Mode is now available on mobile Chrome with a new shortcut button, giving users faster access to conversational AI Search across 160 countries.

Google Introduces AI Mode Shortcut in Chrome for Global Mobile Users

Google has announced a major update for AI Mode in Chrome, introducing a new shortcut button on mobile that lets users access conversational search instantly.
The feature, now available to users in the United States, will soon expand to 160 more countries and support additional languages such as Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.

The update is part of Google’s broader effort to make AI-powered browsing seamless, keeping users within its ecosystem amid competition from OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search and Perplexity AI — platforms that are redefining how people find information online.

Try the new AI Mode experience now on the Google Chrome mobile app or via the latest Google Search update.

AI Mode Makes Chrome Smarter and More Conversational

The new AI Mode shortcut appears right beneath Chrome’s search bar on the “New Tab” page.
This design makes it easier for users to:

Ask complex or follow-up questions naturally
Refine search results through conversation
Explore topics more deeply using AI-driven insights

With just one tap, Chrome transforms into an intelligent assistant, merging the convenience of search with the contextual understanding of Google Gemini AI.

The Growing Competition in AI Search

This rollout comes as Google intensifies its push to keep Search relevant in an era of generative AI. Competitors like ChatGPT Search and Perplexity AI are gaining momentum by offering direct, AI-generated answers instead of traditional search links.

However, Google’s approach—embedding AI directly into Chrome and Search—gives it a powerful advantage: familiarity, speed, and deep integration with existing Google services.

AI Overviews: A Controversial Shift in Search

Google’s AI Overview, formerly known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE), is another major piece of this strategy.
It summarizes answers at the top of search results using generative AI, helping users “get to the heart of information faster.”

But the move has raised concerns among publishers and media outlets.

According to Similarweb, publishers in test regions saw organic traffic drop by 20–40% after AI Overviews were introduced.
The News/Media Alliance, representing over 2,000 media outlets, criticized Google’s AI summaries for “appropriating journalism under the guise of convenience.”

Google, however, defends the feature, saying AI Overviews still drive “valuable clicks” to publishers. Liz Reid, head of Google Search, noted in May that the summaries “increase engagement” for some queries by offering a richer starting point for exploration.

Learn more about AI Overview and Google’s Search updates on the Google Search Central Blog.

Building an AI-First Search Ecosystem

The AI Mode shortcut is part of Google’s plan to build what CEO Sundar Pichai calls “the most useful personal assistant on the web.”

Since its launch in March 2025, AI Mode has evolved into a core part of Search, powered by Gemini, Google’s most advanced AI model.
Key recent enhancements include:

Conversational booking capabilities for events, restaurants, and appointments.
Integration with Canvas, a productivity tool for organizing study plans and tracking projects.
Google Lens support for identifying objects or places on-screen.

Together, these updates make AI Mode a central pillar of Google’s vision for the next generation of Search.

Chrome Becomes the Gateway to Google AI

By embedding the shortcut directly into Chrome’s interface, Google is turning its browser into a gateway for AI-powered exploration.
This reduces friction between searching, discovering, and acting — all within one platform.

Industry analysts note that this shift effectively transforms Chrome from a passive browser into an active AI assistant, helping users perform tasks, find information, and even make reservations—all via conversation.

The Bigger Picture: AI Mode and the Future of the Open Web

As AI Overview and AI Mode expand globally, questions remain about their long-term impact on the open web.
Will AI summaries enhance user experience, or will they undermine publishers and creators by reducing direct clicks?

Google insists it aims to balance innovation with fairness, ensuring AI continues to support a vibrant and accessible web ecosystem.

Final Thoughts: Google’s AI Mode Redefines Search and Browsing

With the rollout of AI Mode in Chrome, Google is taking another bold step toward an AI-first internet — one where browsing, searching, and learning happen through natural, intelligent conversation.

For users, this means a smarter, faster, and more personalized Search experience.
For businesses and content creators, it’s a call to adapt to a new, AI-driven landscape.

Update your Chrome browser today to try the new AI Mode shortcut, or learn more about Google’s AI innovations at the official Google Blog.