Google has officially launched its AI Mode in India today, marking the debut of its conversational, Q&A‑style search feature for the country. This functionality, which remains in the experimental stage, is available through an opt-in process via Search Labs. To use this feature, Indian users must first enable it in Search Labs. Currently, queries must be made in English only—Google has not yet disclosed plans or timelines for including regional languages.

Better Handling of Complex Queries

Once activated, AI Mode can respond to intricate, multi-part queries such as “My kids are 4 and 7 and have lots of energy. Suggest creative ways to get them active and moving indoors, especially on hot days, without needing a lot of space or expensive toys.” Users can then ask follow‑up questions to refine the information received.

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Rollout History & Feature Expansion

Google initially tested AI Mode with premium U.S. subscribers earlier this year. Following a wider rollout after Google I/O, the feature now offers voice and image search, shopping capabilities, and even integrated ads. In India, voice and image search are supported—reflecting local users' preferences—while the entire backend operates on Google's custom Gemini 2.5 model. Early users are reportedly submitting queries that are 2–3 times longer than usual.

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Why India Matters

With over 870 million internet users, India is one of Google's largest markets and serves as a vital testing ground for multilingual and multimodal search behaviours. Although Google continues to dominate traditional search, it is facing increasing competition from chat-based AI services like ChatGPT and Perplexity. By introducing AI Mode, the company is aiming to retain users who prefer conversational interfaces by offering a familiar yet enhanced experience.