Google Rolls Out Experimental AI Mode for Indian Users

Google has launched its experimental AI-powered search mode for users in India, offering a more conversational experience for information seekers. Users can now opt-in through Search Labs to access this feature, which enables them to interact with search in a question-and-answer format. Currently, queries are supported in English, with no timeline for local language availability.

How Google's AI Mode Works

After opting in, Indian users can pose detailed, multi-part queries—such as asking for creative indoor activity ideas for children with specific requirements. The AI mode supports follow-up questions, allowing users to refine their searches and receive more contextual answers. The platform is powered by a custom version of Google's Gemini 2.5 large language model.

Google has prioritized voice and image search features for Indian users, recognizing the popularity of voice search in the country. Early adopters are reportedly submitting queries that are 2-3 times longer than typical searches, reflecting a shift towards interactive, chat-like engagement with search engines.

Background and Global Context

This rollout follows earlier U.S. pilots with premium subscribers and a subsequent expansion to all U.S. users after Google IO. Since then, Google has enhanced AI mode with features for shopping, voice, image search, and integrated advertisements. Globally, over 1.5 billion people are already using Google’s AI-powered search overviews.

India, with its 870 million internet users, not only represents a significant market but also serves as a valuable testing ground for multilingual and mobile-first digital behaviors.

Why Google Is Introducing AI Mode in India

With the rapid rise of chat-based AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, users are increasingly seeking conversational interfaces for tasks that extend beyond traditional keyword search. By launching AI mode in India, Google aims to retain users who might otherwise migrate to competing AI-driven platforms.

Impact on Publishers and the Ecosystem

Google’s AI-driven features, including AI overviews and now AI mode, are changing the ways users interact with information. However, some publishers are experiencing reduced traffic due to users relying more on summarized answers within search, presenting both challenges and opportunities for those reliant on organic search as a traffic source. Explore how AI chatbots keep users engaged for deeper insights on this trend.

Deep Founder Analysis

Why it matters

For startups and founders, Google’s AI mode signals a major inflection point in how people access and interact with information. This shift towards conversational, context-aware search is not just a feature update—it's a transformation in user expectations for digital products. As search becomes more dialog-driven and adaptive, startups must rethink how they design digital experiences, prioritizing user journeys that anticipate natural language input and dynamic follow-up interactions.

Risks & opportunities

Market risks include further consolidation of user attention within Google’s ecosystem, potentially reducing discovery avenues for emerging products. At the same time, there are unique opportunities: companies can build tools that specialize in high-value queries, vertical-specific assistants, or integrate with AI search through open APIs. Drawing a parallel, the rise of App Store search algorithms created both challenges for old distribution models and opportunities for finely-tuned SEO and app discovery startups.

Startup idea or application

One strategic direction is to develop a plugin or micro-SaaS that helps local businesses or publishers optimize content for AI-powered search, ensuring their services and insights are surfaced naturally in these new conversational answers. Alternatively, startups could build vertical AI agents—such as an educational assistant that integrates with Google AI Mode to provide curated, interactive learning paths tailored to user queries.

Google AI search India Conversational AI Startup Opportunity

For additional context, read: Google Expands AI Fraud Detection and Security in India and How AI Chatbots Keep Users Engaged.

Visit Deep Founder to learn how to start your own startup, validate your idea, and build it from scratch.

📚 Read more articles in our Deep Founder blog.