Google’s AI Mode: Waitlist Gone, New Features Arrive to Challenge ChatGPT

Google's AI Mode, the tech giant's answer to the rise of AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI, is now dramatically expanding its reach and capabilities. Aiming to deliver more comprehensive and interactive search experiences, Google is removing the waitlist, adding features such as place and product cards, and introducing a history panel for easier navigation. This marks a significant step in the AI search race, potentially reshaping how users interact with online information.

Initially launched in Labs in March of this year, AI Mode was designed as an experimental feature allowing users to ask complex, multi-part questions and iterate on searches. Now, anyone in the U.S. who is at least 18 years old and enrolled in Google Labs can immediately access this technology, eliminating the frustration of waiting for approval.

Beyond wider accessibility, Google is also testing AI Mode outside of the Labs environment. According to Soufi Esmailzadeh, Director, Product Management, at Google Search, a small percentage of U.S. users will see an AI Mode tab directly within Search, offering a glimpse of a future where AI-powered search is integrated directly into the standard Google experience. This limited test will allow Google to gather essential feedback and refine the AI Mode experience based on real-world user interactions.

What's new in AI Mode? The updates announced include: Place and Product Cards: When researching local businesses or products, AI Mode will now display visual cards with details like ratings, reviews, hours, real-time pricing, promotions, images, shipping information, and local inventory. This feature leverages Google's Shopping Graph, which contains over 45 billion product listings, and Google Business Profiles. History Panel: A new left-side panel on desktop allows users to easily access past searches and follow-up questions, streamlining longer-running projects and tasks. This makes it significantly easier to pick up where you left off in your research.

For example, imagine searching for "best vintage shops with mid-century modern furniture." AI Mode can now highlight nearby stores, display real-time busyness information, and allow you to quickly call or get directions. Or, if you're planning a camping trip and search for "best foldable camping chair that would fit in a backpack for under $100," AI Mode provides a breakdown of recommended products, product details, and links to retailers.

Google is betting big on AI-powered search. Analysts believe that the company is trying to identify the killer AI search engine features that will secure its dominance in this rapidly evolving space. By expanding access, adding functionality, and testing in the real world, Google aims to gather the data and feedback necessary to refine AI Mode and solidify its position as a leader in AI-driven search experiences. The company continuously updates more than 2 billion product listings every hour, to make sure that users are receiving fresh and reliable information that they can trust.

Will AI Mode become the definitive interface for Google Search? Or will another AI-powered challenger emerge to disrupt the status quo? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, the future of search is rapidly evolving, with Google pushing the boundaries of AI-driven information retrieval. Head over to Labs to give AI Mode a try for yourself!

What do you think about these new features in AI Mode? Will they change how you search? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

• AI Mode
• ChatGPT
• Google AI