AI Mode in Search: Google’s Step Toward Action-Oriented Search

Key takeaways

• AI Mode in Search launched on August 21, 2025, adding “agentic” features that help move from questions to actions, starting with restaurant reservations.

• The rollout includes 180+ countries and territories in English, though not all features are available everywhere or for all users.

• On September 8, 2025, Google added five languages: Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.

• Early personalization in dining is available only for U.S. users in Labs, and features like reservations may require specific plans such as AI Ultra.

• Source links usually appear with results so we can double-check details, but availability may vary by query and mode.

What Is AI Mode in Search—and Why It Feels Different

AI Mode in Search changes how we use Google. Instead of only showing a list of links, it organizes steps we need to understand, compare, and act. Google introduced it officially on August 21, 2025, with new “agentic” features—tools that can take practical steps, like finding restaurant reservations, while letting us choose the final action.

This makes searching feel less like managing a stack of open tabs and more like moving directly toward a goal. But it’s important to note: not every feature is live everywhere. Some of the most advanced options are limited to U.S. users enrolled in Labs, and in some cases, to subscribers on Google’s AI Ultra plan.¹

How AI Mode in Search Works (With Some Caveats)

If we search for “Friday dinner at 7 pm in Center City, table for four, no shellfish”, AI Mode can:

1. Interpret our request, including time, group size, and preferences.

2. Collect possible matches from trusted sites and reservation platforms.

3. Present a shortlist with links so we can book directly.²

The key here is links. Google emphasizes transparency, usually providing clickable sources so we can verify menus, reviews, or policies before committing. Still, “always” is too strong—depending on the query or the view, summaries may appear before links. In most cases, though, source links are included to help us double-check.

Where It Works and Who Can Use It

• Global rollout: AI Mode is now available in English in 180+ countries and territories, but not every region has equal access to every feature.

• Language support: On September 8, 2025, Google expanded support to five new languages—Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.

• Feature limits: Restaurant reservations, for example, are only live in the U.S. and require opting into Labs. Other task types, like event tickets or local service bookings, are planned but not yet fully released.

So while the launch was global, the full set of features depends on location, language, and user plan.

Personalization That We Control

Google is starting with personalized dining suggestions in the U.S. for people testing AI Mode in Labs. If we share our preferences—say, vegan menus or quieter restaurants—the system reflects those choices in results.¹

But this isn’t automatic. We can view or adjust our personalization settings anytime, or turn them off entirely. This control is key, because while personalization helps speed things up, we still make the final choice, supported by linked sources.

Agentic Assistance: What It Means in Practice

The word agentic simply means AI Mode can take practical steps on our behalf. For example, if we ask for “Italian restaurants open at 7 on Friday,” it can:

• Pull in table openings across partners like OpenTable, Resy, or Tock.

• Match those results to our preferences (time, cuisine, budget).

• Present them with links so we can finish the booking.

This makes the process faster, but it isn’t universal yet. Features like this are limited to certain markets and sometimes to higher subscription tiers.

Everyday Scenarios (With Realistic Limits)

Plan a meal out

Works well in the U.S. Labs test group, where dining personalization is live. In other regions, we may not see the same features yet.

Compare products

AI Mode can summarize reviews and specs for items like “daypacks under $100,” then link to sellers. This works broadly, though how results appear may depend on the country rollout stage.

Find local services

We can type “fix a leaky faucet near me Saturday morning” and see providers with availability. Still, scheduling integrations are planned, not fully rolled out, so availability depends on location and Google’s partnerships.

Updates Since Launch

In just a few weeks:

• August 21, 2025: Google launched AI Mode globally in English across 180+ countries and territories.

• September 8, 2025: Five languages were added—Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese—expanding reach.^4,5

• Labs access in the U.S.: Personalized dining and reservations remain limited to users testing AI Mode through Labs, often requiring AI Ultra.³

Final Word

AI Mode in Search makes everyday searching feel more like moving toward a result than browsing endlessly. But it’s worth keeping expectations realistic:

• The global rollout is real, but some features are still experimental or limited by location, language, or plan.

• Source links are usually included for transparency, but not guaranteed in every case.

• Personalization is optional and can be adjusted or turned off anytime.

If we treat it as a developing tool—useful now for certain tasks and expanding steadily—it becomes clear how AI Mode in Search is shaping the next step in how we find and act on information.^1,2,4

Citations

1. Stein, Robby. “AI Mode in Search Gets New Agentic Features and Expands Globally.” The Keyword (Google Blog), 21 Aug. 2025.
2. Barry, Danny. “Google Launches AI Mode in 180 Countries and Territories.” Search Engine Land, 21 Aug. 2025.
3. “The Latest AI News We Announced in August.” The Keyword (Google Blog), 10 Sept. 2025.
4. Google. “AI Mode in Google Search Expands to More Languages.” The Keyword (Google Blog), 8 Sept. 2025.
5. Lomas, Natasha. “Google’s AI Mode Adds Five New Languages.” TechCrunch, 8 Sept. 2025.

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Author: Jim Malervy -

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