Google launches AI mode in India

Google has officially introduced AI Mode to users in India, marking a significant leap in the company’s efforts to advance its search technology in one of its largest and fastest-growing markets. The launch, announced on June 24, 2025, positions AI Mode as the most powerful AI-powered search experience yet available in the country, currently accessible in English through Google Labs as an experimental feature.

AI Mode leverages a custom version of Gemini 2.5, Google’s most advanced AI model. This enables users to ask complex, multi-layered questions and receive comprehensive, AI-generated responses that unpack topics using advanced reasoning, with essential details and links for deeper exploration. The feature is especially designed for exploratory queries—such as trip planning, product comparisons, and detailed how-to guides—that would previously require multiple searches. Early adopters in both the US and India have been asking questions that are two to three times longer than traditional searches, indicating a shift toward more natural, conversational interactions with search engines.

Globally, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported a 12% year-on-year revenue increase to $90.2 billion for Q1 2025. Google Search and advertising revenues rose 10% to $50.7 billion, while YouTube and Google Cloud continued their strong growth trajectories. The company’s net income for the quarter jumped 46% to $34.5 billion, with operating margins expanding to 34%, underscoring the financial momentum behind Google’s AI investments.

A key innovation of AI Mode is its “query fan-out” technique, which breaks down user questions into subtopics and runs multiple queries simultaneously. This allows Google Search to delve deeper into the web, surface hyper-relevant content, and provide users with summaries, follow-up options, and links to authoritative sources. The feature is multimodal, supporting not only text but also voice and image inputs. This is particularly relevant for India, where Google Lens sees exceptionally high usage, and users frequently rely on voice and visual search.

AI Mode represents a strategic response to intensifying competition from AI-driven search platforms like Perplexity and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. By offering a more intuitive, conversational, and multimodal search experience, Google aims to retain its leadership in India’s digital ecosystem. The feature’s rollout has already led to a 10% increase in engagement with complex queries in markets like India and the US, according to Google.

Looking ahead, Google plans to refine AI Mode based on user feedback and is likely to expand support for local languages in India. The company’s focus on advanced reasoning, multimodal inputs, and seamless integration with its core information systems—including the Knowledge Graph and real-time data—positions AI Mode as a key driver of future growth in both search and digital advertising.

In summary, the launch of AI Mode in India is a milestone in Google’s ongoing transformation, blending cutting-edge AI with the needs of a diverse and rapidly evolving digital market. With robust financial performance and a clear vision for AI-powered innovation, Google is poised to shape the next generation of search experiences for Indian users.