Google is taking search to the next level with a major update to its experimental AI Mode, a feature within Google Search that allows users to ask complex, multi-part questions and receive dynamic, in-depth responses. As of this week, Google is expanding this powerful tool to include multimodal search capabilities, meaning users can now upload or snap a photo — and then ask nuanced questions about it.
In other words, Google Search just got a whole lot smarter — and a whole lot more visual.
📷 From Words to Visuals: AI Mode Just Got Multimodal
Announced in a blog post on Monday, the latest AI Mode upgrade brings Google’s advanced Google Lens technology into play. With this integration, AI Mode can now analyze photos using multimodal AI, understanding not just what objects are present in an image, but also their shapes, sizes, colors, materials, relationships, and spatial arrangements.
This goes far beyond traditional image recognition. Google says AI Mode uses a technique called “query fan-out” — essentially, the system breaks down your image and proactively asks multiple questions in the background to generate deeper, more insightful answers.
🤖 Real-World Use: How It Works
Let’s say you take a picture of your bookshelf and ask:
“If I enjoyed these, what are some similar books that are highly rated?”
AI Mode will analyze the photo, identify the titles on your shelf, and generate recommendations based on your past preferences — complete with links to reviews, book summaries, and where to buy them.
What makes this experience especially powerful is the follow-up functionality. You can continue the conversation with context-aware questions like:
“I’m looking for a quick read. Which one of these recommendations is the shortest?”
The system remembers your original image and previous queries, letting you refine your search seamlessly — just like you would in a natural conversation.
🚀 A Leap Ahead in Search Innovation
This new image-driven feature represents a major leap in how we interact with search engines. By combining text, images, and conversation into one fluid process, AI Mode is creating a search experience that feels less like using a search engine, and more like talking to a knowledgeable assistant.
Until recently, AI Mode was only available to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, but Google is now making it available to millions more users through its Google Labs platform — the company’s dedicated space for early-access experiments.
This broader rollout is part of Google’s strategy to test and refine its AI features in real-world scenarios, ultimately aiming to rival offerings like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT’s new Search mode.
🔍 What Makes AI Mode Different?
Traditional Google Search is fast and reliable, but it often requires users to manually piece together information from various links. AI Mode, on the other hand, synthesizes information on your behalf, offering smarter, context-rich responses — especially when working with visual inputs.
Whether you’re:
- Trying to identify a plant you just photographed
- Deciding what to wear based on an outfit photo
- Comparing product features by snapping a picture of electronics
- Or asking for travel tips based on a scenic photo
AI Mode brings the intelligence of Google’s search engine and the versatility of image recognition into a single, streamlined experience.
🧪 What’s Next for AI Mode?
Google says it’s just getting started. In the coming months, the company plans to further refine the AI experience, expand multimodal capabilities, and continue listening to feedback from Labs users to shape future iterations.
As AI becomes increasingly central to how we interact with the digital world, features like AI Mode hint at a future where you don’t need to know what to search for — you just need to show it.
In Summary:
Google’s AI Mode is no longer just about smarter text-based queries — it’s evolving into a visually intelligent assistant that understands your photos, anticipates your needs, and delivers tailored information. With its multimodal update and expanded availability, it’s clear Google is making a bold move to redefine what search can be in the age of generative AI.
