Introduction to AI Mode
Google’s AI Mode was introduced at Google I/O, with the promise of incorporating personal context to improve user experience. The feature was supposed to allow users to opt-in to connect their Google apps, starting with Gmail, to provide more relevant search results. However, seven months after the announcement, the feature is still not ready for a public rollout.
What Was Promised
At Google I/O, Google promised that AI Mode would soon incorporate a user’s past searches to improve responses. The idea was that users wouldn’t need to restate context in every query, as Google would be able to use relevant details already sitting in their account. The feature was expected to reduce manual effort and provide more personalized results.
Delay in Rollout
Nick Fox, Google’s SVP of Knowledge and Information, attributed the delay to product and permissions issues rather than model-capability issues. He stated that some internal testing is underway, but did not share a public rollout date. Fox emphasized that the feature is still in the works, saying "it’s still to come."
Growth of AI Mode
Despite the delay in rolling out personal context, AI Mode has continued to grow in popularity. Fox reported that the feature has gained 75 million daily active users worldwide. Users are adapting to the current limitations of AI Mode by typing more context into their queries, with questions that are "two to three times as long" and include more explicit first-person context.
Geographic Patterns
The adoption of AI Mode has been uneven across different markets, with the strongest traction in regions that received the feature first. The US is considered the most "mature" market, as the product has had more time to become part of people’s routines. Other markets, such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia, have also shown strong adoption, particularly among younger users.
Publisher Relationship Updates
Google has been working to improve the way AI Mode connects users to publisher content. The company has introduced features such as Preferred Sources, which allows users to choose specific publications they want to see more prominently in Google’s Top Stories unit. Google is also increasing the number of links shown in AI experiences and adding more context around them.
Technical Updates
Fox discussed several technical updates that are powering AI Mode and related experiences. These include the shipment of Gemini 3 Pro in Search, which is the first time Google has shipped a frontier model in Search on launch day. The company is also using generative layouts, where the model can generate UI code on the fly for certain queries, and model routing, which reserves heavier work for more complex prompts.
Why This Matters
The delay in rolling out personal context for AI Mode means that users are having to adapt by typing more context into their queries. This may push publishers towards satisfying longer, more situation-specific questions. As AI Mode continues to grow in popularity, it’s essential to monitor its development and impact on user behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while AI Mode is still in its early stages, its growth and adoption are significant. The feature’s ability to personalize results using opt-in Gmail context is still in the works, but users are finding ways to adapt. As the technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial to keep an eye on its development and how it may change the way we interact with search engines. With 75 million daily active users, AI Mode is certainly a feature to watch in the future.