Google has made a significant update to its AI Mode in Search, adding the ability to provide visual results for certain queries.
This new feature allows users to not only receive text-based responses but also view images, which makes the search experience more dynamic and visually engaging.
With AI Mode now offering images in response to user queries, Google is aiming to keep up with its competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI-driven platforms.
In this post, we will discuss how Google’s AI Mode is evolving, the benefits of the visual search feature, and what this means for the future of search.
What is Google’s AI Mode?
Google’s AI Mode is a tool within the Google Search app that lets users engage directly with an AI-powered version of Google Search. This feature allows users to ask questions and get more personalized, detailed answers without needing to go to ChatGPT or other AI tools.
Initially launched in May 2025, AI Mode was a text-based feature, responding to queries with natural language.
Now, Google has enhanced AI Mode by adding the ability to generate visual results. This means when users ask for things like design inspiration or product suggestions, Google’s AI will provide them with images, making the search experience richer and more helpful.
The Importance of Visual Search in AI Mode
Before the addition of images, users would have to manually go to Google Images to find relevant pictures for their searches. With the new visual update, users can get images directly in AI Mode, without needing to switch between tabs or platforms.
This update is especially useful for users looking for inspiration or help with shopping.
For example, if someone is looking for design inspiration for their bedroom, they can simply type “show me maximalist bedroom designs” in AI Mode. Instead of receiving just text-based results or links, the AI will provide them with a selection of images that match their query.
Users can further refine their searches by asking for more specific details like “bold prints and dark tones,” and AI Mode will update the results accordingly.
This integration of visuals is powered by Google’s advanced AI technologies, including Google Lens and Gemini 2.5, which analyze images and related data to provide better search results.
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How AI Mode Enhances Shopping
One of the most exciting aspects of Google’s AI Mode update is how it transforms the shopping experience. Instead of scrolling through endless product listings or sifting through filters, users can simply ask for specific items using natural language.
For example, a user can search for “barrel jeans that aren’t too baggy” and get a list of jeans that match their request. Each image is clickable, allowing users to visit the retailer’s website to make a purchase.
This feature is designed to make shopping more conversational. Users don’t have to manually filter options or browse through multiple pages. Instead, they can just describe what they are looking for, and Google’s AI Mode will do the heavy lifting by showing them images of products that match their description.
This new functionality makes it easier for users to shop in a more intuitive way, without the need for complex navigation.
Visual Search Fan-Out Technique
Google’s AI Mode is powered by a visual search fan-out technique, which helps break down user queries into smaller subtopics. This allows the AI to search through a wide range of results at once, making sure that the response is comprehensive.
For example, if you search for an outfit idea, the AI can analyze multiple elements like clothing type, color, and fabric, and provide a selection of images based on all those factors. The fan-out technique helps the AI recognize both the main and secondary objects in images, ensuring that the results match the user’s query as accurately as possible.
This capability gives Google’s AI Mode a significant edge over traditional search engines. While conventional search results show links to webpages, AI Mode can display images directly, making it easier for users to find exactly what they are looking for at a glance.
Google’s Strategy to Compete with Rivals
Google’s decision to add images to AI Mode comes as the company faces increasing competition from rivals like OpenAI, which launched ChatGPT, and other AI-driven search tools.
These competitors have changed the way people interact with search engines, allowing users to ask questions and get immediate, personalized responses in natural language.
Google, in its quest to remain competitive, has been integrating generative AI into its search experience to keep pace.
The Role of Google’s Shopping Graph
Along with visual search, Google has also enhanced the shopping features in AI Mode. Google Shopping Graph now connects users with over 50 billion product listings, with data being refreshed every hour.
This vast database allows users to find products that match their style, color, size, and fit, without having to visit multiple retailer websites.
The Shopping Graph is designed to improve the accuracy and relevance of shopping results, ensuring that users find exactly what they need. If someone is looking for a new sofa or the perfect pair of shoes, AI Mode will show them images of items from multiple retailers, allowing them to compare prices and styles easily.
Privacy and Ethical Considerations
As AI Mode continues to evolve, Google faces important ethical and privacy considerations. With AI analyzing images and user queries, the company needs to ensure that it is not infringing on user privacy or misusing data.
For instance, AI Mode allows users to upload their own photos for search, which raises questions about how personal data is handled and protected.
Additionally, Google’s AI Overviews feature, which provides AI-generated responses at the top of search results, has raised concerns among content creators and publishers. Some publishers feel that their content is being used by Google’s AI without proper attribution or compensation.
In response, some publishers have blocked Google’s AI crawlers or signed licensing deals with other players like OpenAI. This issue highlights the ongoing challenge that tech companies face as they integrate AI into their platforms.
The Bottom Line
For now, Google’s AI Mode is leading the way in making search more interactive, and this update is just the beginning. With its enhanced shopping features, visual search capabilities, and advanced AI tools, Google is setting the stage for the future of online search.
As Google continues to enhance its AI capabilities, we can expect even more advanced features that blur the line between traditional search and AI-driven insights.
