Introduction to Gemini 3
Google has integrated Gemini 3 into Search’s AI Mode, marking the first time the company has shipped a Gemini model to Search on its release date. This update is currently available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., who can access Gemini 3 Pro by selecting “Thinking” from the model dropdown in AI Mode.
What’s New
Search Updates
Gemini 3 is described as a model with state-of-the-art reasoning and deep multimodal understanding. In the context of Search, it’s designed to explain advanced concepts, work through complex questions, and support interactive visuals that run directly inside AI Mode responses. With Gemini 3 in place, Google says AI Mode has effectively re-architected what a “helpful response” looks like.
According to Robby Stein, VP and GM of Google Search, “Gemini 3 is also making Search smarter by re-architecting what a helpful response looks like. With new generative UI capabilities, Gemini 3 in AI Mode can now dynamically create the overall response layout when it responds to your query – completely on the fly.” Instead of only returning a block of text, AI Mode can design a response layout tailored to your query, including deciding when to surface images, tables, or other structured elements to make the answer clearer and easier to work with.
Enhanced Query Fan-Out
Gemini 3 upgrades Google’s query fan-out technique, allowing Search to issue more related searches in parallel and better interpret what you’re trying to do. This means Google may find content it previously missed, as Stein notes: “It now performs more and much smarter searches because Gemini 3 better understands you. That means Search can now surface even more relevant web content for your specific question.”
Generative UI
Gemini 3 in AI Mode introduces generative UI features that build dynamic visual layouts around your query. The model analyzes your question and constructs a custom response using visual elements such as images, tables, and grids. When an interactive tool would help, Gemini 3 can generate a small app in real time and embed it directly in the answer. Examples include an interactive physics simulation for exploring the three-body problem and a custom mortgage loan calculator that lets you compare different options and estimate long-term savings.
Why This Matters
Gemini 3 changes how your content is discovered and used in AI Mode. With deeper query fan-out, Google can access more pages per question, which might influence which sites are cited or linked during long, complex searches. The updated layouts and interactive features change how links appear on your screen, and on-page tools, explainers, and visualizations could now compete directly with Google’s own interface.
Looking Ahead
Google plans to expand Gemini 3 in AI Mode to all U.S. users soon, with higher usage limits for Pro and Ultra subscribers. The company will continue refining these updates based on feedback as more people try the new tools. Automatic model selection is set to arrive in the coming weeks for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., with broader U.S. access to Gemini 3 in AI Mode planned but not yet scheduled.
Conclusion
The integration of Gemini 3 into Google Search’s AI Mode marks a significant step forward in the evolution of search technology. With its state-of-the-art reasoning and deep multimodal understanding, Gemini 3 has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with search engines. As the technology continues to develop and become more widely available, it will be exciting to see how it changes the way we access and engage with information online.