Circle to Search set to default to AI Mode as Google pushes conversational search experience

Circle to Search may be about to change how you experience its output

A new Circle to Search workflow could instead pull up AI Mode results first. If you're not using Circle to Search on a regular basis, chances are you're not getting the most out of your phone. Google's screen-searching tool has emerged as one of Android's most useful features, letting us effortlessly pull text out of images, track down where pictures where taken, and so much more. Today we're taking a look at what could be coming up next for Circle to Search, with Google tweaking how it delivers its analysis. So far, you get started with Circle to Search with a long press on the home button or nav handle, then highlight the section of the screen you're interested (and spoiler: You don't actually need to draw a circle). Then you see a card slide up from the bottom of the screen with your results: Right now, these are normal Google Search results -- we usually see an AI Overview up top, then visual matches, and websites below. And if you want to focus on another kind of results, or jump over to AI Mode, you can get there with a tap. Looking through the changes present in version 17.3.59.sa.arm64 beta of the Google app for Android, we've been able to activate a slightly different workflow for Circle to Search. None of this is yet user-facing, even with this latest update, but Google has implemented the groundwork for having Circle to Search present its results with more of an AI focus. With this new workflow enabled, you still initiate a Circle to Search session the very same way as before, but now, Google defaults to AI Mode for its output: Critically, you're not forced to stick with AI Mode, and just like now, you can switch between all your options for results by just tapping on the bar. Considering Google's increasing emphasis on all things AI, this kind of prioritization makes a lot of sense. Like we said, it's not live just yet, but we would not be surprised at all to see Google flip the switch on this -- even if that just means some A/B testing -- in the near future.

Circle to Search might soon prioritize conversational answers over links

Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism and Mass Media graduate who joined the Android Police team in April 2024, after serving as a full-time News Writer at Canadian publication MobileSyrup. Prior to joining Android Police, Oberoi worked on feature stories, reviews, evergreen articles, and focused on 'how-to' resources. Additionally, he informed readers about the latest deals and discounts with quick hit pieces and buyer's guides for all occasions. Oberoi lives in Toronto, Canada. When not working on a new story, he likes to hit the gym, play soccer (although he keeps calling it football for some reason🤔) and try out new restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. If you've been using Circle to Search (CtS) on a daily basis, Google's (potential) upcoming update for the feature might just be a game changer for you. CtS is amazing for on-the-go queries, where you quickly want to find out more about something you see on your screen. Currently, CtS does so by running a Google Search for circled elements. This view, more often than not, highlights an AI Overview at the very top, followed by 'Visual matches,' and relevant web results. This standard layout, however, might soon change. 7 ingenious ways to use Google's Circle to Search feature Search what's on your screen with ease Posts 1 By Faith Leroux Google's been pushing Search's AI Mode to the front since its release last year, with the conversational Search tool recently gaining Personal Intelligence as well. Google wants to ensure that all the AI Mode upgrades actually help supercharge the search experience, and that's likely why it is now leveraging CtS. Adopting a new standard, CtS has been found to use AI Mode to surface answers, instead of AI Overviews. Standard results are still there The development was highlighted by the folks over at Android Authority after digging through beta version 17.3.59.sa.arm64 of the Google app for Android. This isn't live for users yet, though if and when it does go live, it will make AI Mode the default search result provider for CtS queries. Powered by Gemini 3, AI Mode should be able to offer more detailed answers, complete with the option for users to quickly hop into a back-and-forth conversation with the AI tool. Subscribe to the newsletter for Search AI insights Want expert context on Search AI developments? Subscribe to the newsletter for clear, jargon-free breakdowns of search and AI product changes, practical implications for users, and thoughtful analysis across related features. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Additionally, you're not necessarily limited to AI Mode results. Users can easily tap 'All' in the top bar to see regular search results. This comes soon after Google made it so that all follow-up CtS queries defaulted to AI Mode. That was likely just a test for what Google seems to be experimenting with the new beta now. Follow up questions on Circle to Search now default to AI Mode CtS is getting smarter Posts By Karandeep Singh Oberoi