🤖 What is Google's AI Mode and why is it a revolution in search?

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According to Google, AI Mode integrates the capabilities of Gemini 2.x with traditional web search, the Knowledge Graph, and real-time data, offering synthetic and in-depth answers without leaving the search page.

It uses a "query fan-out" technique: it starts from a complex question, breaks it down into sub-queries, and runs parallel searches, returning an aggregated answer with citations and links.

Officially launched in the U.S. around May 20, 2025, it is now visible under the “AI Mode” tab and supports follow-ups, voice search, and even visual search.

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✨ What is Google’s AI Mode?

AI Mode is Google’s new advanced search mode introduced in 2025. It’s an AI-powered interface based on the Gemini model (formerly Bard) that provides answers directly within the results page, without requiring the user to click on external links.

Unlike the classic list of blue links, AI Mode:

  • Analyzes your query and breaks it down into sub-questions.

  • Runs multiple simultaneous searches, combining data from reliable sources, the Knowledge Graph, real-time updates, and the web.

  • Generates a concise, contextual answer, complete with links, images, and source citations.

  • Enables conversations, so you can ask follow-up questions and get deeper insights within the same session.

Source https://blog.google/products/search/ai-mode-search/

It’s a major step beyond the “AI Overviews” launched in 2023, aiming to make search not only faster but also more intelligent and interactive.

AI Overview

It is currently available as a stable release in the U.S., with gradual rollout expected in other countries. It can be activated via the new “AI Mode” tab at the top of search results or set as the default mode.

User Benefits

  • Instant and in-depth answers even for complex searches.

  • Multimodality: type, speak, or use images.

  • Interactivity: follow-up questions without repeating the search.

  • Authoritative support: multiple citations (on average ~12.6 links) with transparent sources.


⚠️ Critical Issue: Traffic Drop for Publishers and Websites

📉 Decline in Clicks

  • With the arrival of “AI Overviews” (previous version), click-through rates on organic sites fell from 7.3% to 2.6% in a year.

  • The fully conversational AI Mode may further this trend: users read the answer directly and don’t click links, reducing traffic and visibility.

📰 Alarming Reports

  • SimilarWeb reports that 37 of the top 50 U.S. news sites experienced traffic drops of up to 40% (including Forbes, HuffPost…)

  • Journalism sustainability is at risk: “Google is draining lifeblood from media.”

💸 Monetization Impact

  • Fewer visits = fewer ad impressions = lower revenue.

  • Editorial sites (including blogs and niche sectors) risk losing the ad-supported model.

  • Even vertical sites (FAQs, how-to) may become redundant if AI delivers complete answers.


What Are the Consequences & How to Respond?

1. Organic Traffic and Revenue Loss

The search experience shifting toward integrated answers over links reduces the importance of top-10 rankings. SEO studies estimate up to a 40% traffic drop from generic queries.

2. Content Strategy Needs Reform

  • Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): create structured content optimized for AI citation.

  • GEO (Generate Engaging Outputs): increase your chances of appearing in AI-generated summaries.

  • More “in-depth”, experiential content with strong E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals.

3. New monetization strategies

  • Subscription models for premium content.

  • Use of memberships, exclusive formats, paid newsletters or podcast episodes.

  • Affiliate marketing and partnerships with e-commerce and services, instead of depending only on ads.


In summary

The AI Mode represents a turning point in the way we search for information: it offers quick, contextualized, and multimedia answers, but it risks reshaping the entire web ecosystem. On the one hand, it improves the user experience, on the other, it puts pressure on traffic-based business models.

The future is being played out on two fronts:

  • For users: faster and more precise searches.

  • For content creators: Evolve your strategy to stay relevant.

Only those who can adapt (with deep content, AI synergies, and alternative monetization) will thrive in the new paradigm.


📚 References

  1. Google. (2025). AI Mode: a new way to search. https://blog.google/products/search/ai-mode-search/
  2. Google. (2025). Ways to search with AI Mode. https://search.google/ways-to-search/ai-mode/
  3. Bohn, D. (2025). AI Mode is obviously the future of Google Search. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/google-io/670439/google-ai-mode-search-io-2025
  4. Li, K. (2025). Top news sites suffer drastic drop in web traffic since Google added AI search. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/business/google-ai-pummeling-news-sites-as-traffic-dips-across-the-board/
  5. Warzel, C. (2025). Google Is Burying the Web Alive. New York Magazine – Intelligencer. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/google-ai-mode-search-results-bury-the-web.html
  6. SE Ranking. (2025). AI Mode in Google Search: What We Know So Far. https://seranking.com/blog/ai-mode-research/
  7. Eyeful Media. (2025). Google AI Mode: What it Means for Search and SEO. https://www.eyefulmedia.com/blog/google-ai-mode-what-it-means-for-search-and-seo/
  8. SEO.com. (2025). How Google AI Overviews are Changing SEO. https://www.seo.com/ai/google-ai-mode/
  9. Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Answer engine optimization. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Answer_engine_optimization
  10. Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Search engine optimization. Wikipedia (IT). https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottimizzazione_per_i_motori_di_ricerca



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