Google Enhances AI Mode with Visual Search and Shopping Features

Google's AI Mode Can Now Give You More Visual Inspiration

Imad is a senior reporter covering Google and internet culture. Hailing from Texas, Imad started his journalism career in 2013 and has amassed bylines with The New York Times, The Washington Post, ESPN, Tom's Guide and Wired, among others. Google's AI Mode in Search will start letting users ask questions and get images as answers, Google said in a blog post on Tuesday. AI Mode is the tab in Google Search that allows people to engage directly with a specially tuned version of Google's AI, without needing to go to ChatGPT or Gemini. Google says this visual AI search feature update allows people to find inspiration. Instead of jumping over to Google Images to find relevant photos, you can do all of that in AI Mode. Google offered the example of someone wanting design inspirations for their bedroom who asks to see maximalist bedroom photos. Images are linked, so users can click out and learn more about that image. Users can also iterate on their searches, asking for bright pink tones or bold fonts. AI Mode's visual search capabilities are rooted in Google Lens, which lets people use phone cameras to search for photos or similar items online. AI Mode will also allow people to upload their own photos and search that way. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. Along with being able to see more visuals in AI Mode, Google says it's improving shopping features. Rather than having to sort through filters, shoppers can just say, "barrel jeans that aren't too baggy" and add "I want more ankle length." AI Mode will then list retailer sites where those jeans can be had. Image search in AI Mode brings Google another step closer to making its core online search product an AI product. As people become more accustomed to searching based on intent with AI synthesizing information in the background, the idea of typing in keywords and looking through ten blue links is becoming a relic. Google is leaning heavily on AI to stay competitive with ChatGPT maker OpenAI and to meet Wall Street's pressure for it to remain a top player. Google recently hit the $3 trillion market cap milestone, the fourth company to do so. Already, Google's integrated AI Overviews add AI-generated responses to the top of search on some queries, pushing the classic ten blue links further down the page. Some studies suggest that as searchers get more answers through AI, they are less likely to click on links, which can harm sites that rely on Google Search traffic to survive. Google, however, argues that traffic going to sites via AI Overviews tends to be higher quality, with these types of readers being more engaged. It's put Google in a difficult spot with publishers, on whom the search giant's relied for years to fill its search results. Some publishers believe their content is being captured and trained by Google's AI without their permission. Now, publishers are going so far as to block various AI crawlers and are signing licensing deals for their content with players like OpenAI and Perplexity. Recently, Rolling Stone owner Penske Media sued Google over AI Overviews. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

Google's AI Mode image search is getting more conversational

Google's latest AI Mode update makes it easier for users to search through images using vague descriptions and references. The update provides a more conversational way to shop for products online, according to Google's announcement, allowing AI Mode users to "describe what you're looking for -- like the way you'd talk to a friend," instead of using filters to refine Search results by color, size, or brand. "Starting today, you can ask a question conversationally and get a range of visual results in AI Mode, with the ability to continuously refine your search in the way that's most natural for you," Google said in its announcement blog. "You'll see rich visuals that match the vibe you're looking for, and can follow up in whatever way is most natural for you, like asking for more options with dark tones and bold prints." For example, AI Mode users can look for "barrel jeans that aren't too baggy" and then refine the results with additional requests like "I want more ankle length," or "show me acid-washed denim." AI Mode will "intelligently provide a relevant set of shoppable options," according to Google, allowing users to easily visit retailers' sites to purchase items in Search results. Users can also start their search by uploading a reference image or snapping a photograph to fetch visually similar results, or use a mix of images and descriptions to refine their search. The conversational search update works for general visual exploration too, such as finding images for interior design inspiration. The AI Mode visual search upgrade is rolling out in English to US users this week, so it might take a few days for the new capabilities to appear. Google says the update builds on Google Search with Lens and Image search and Gemini 2.5's advanced multimodal and language capabilities, allowing AI Mode to recognize subtle details and secondary objects in images to better understand visual context and deliver more nuanced image search results.

Google's big AI Mode update adds visual search and shopping - how to try it

This is another attempt to sway users to use Google's AI search engine. Google introduced its AI Mode in the spring, intended to be a spin on the classic Google Search experience that incorporates AI's conversational capabilities into the search engine. Google is now updating the experience to be more visual and even help you shop. On Tuesday, Google announced that AI Mode would now display a range of visual results when users input a conversational search prompt. Once an image is displayed, users can ask follow-up questions about the image or click on the link to learn more. Since the experience is multimodal, users can also start the search experience by uploading an image. Also: Microsoft just added AI agents to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - how to use them Google attributed the "breakthrough in visual search" to its new visual search fan-out technique, which is an approach similar to the query fan-out technique that powers the AI Mode experience. In the same way that AI Mode breaks down a prompt into related queries to best meet your needs, the visual version analyzes an image and runs multiple queries in the background. Google also launched a new Shopping experience in which users can conversationally ask for a specific product, and AI Mode will show users visual shopping results. If the result isn't what the user intended, they can ask follow-up queries. Once the perfect product is found, the user can click on the retailer's website, where they are led to the option to purchase the product. Also: ChatGPT is crushing rivals in the AI chatbot race by all measures - but for how long? This approach differs from OpenAI's AI-fueled shopping experience, called Instant Checkout. With this feature, users can place an order directly within a conversation with the chatbot, using the same conversational experience to find a product, and most importantly, without having to leave the chatbot interface to complete the order. All Google users are welcome to try AI Mode for free. Also: No, AI isn't stealing your tech job - it's just transforming it You can access AI Mode by visiting google.com/ai, which brings you straight to the AI Mode page, or typing something into the Google Search box and then clicking on the AI Mode logo to the right, highlighted by the colorful ring.

Google's AI Mode adds images as search giant tries to keep pace with rivals

The search giant rolled out AI Mode in the U.S. in May, launching primarily as a text-based tool that could answer questions using natural language. Now, if users are looking for inspiration or shopping help, AI Mode can also generate results in the form of images. Google has been racing to find ways to integrate generative AI into its search engine since OpenAI rocked the tech sector with the launch of its chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022. As its AI rivals have changed how users can seek information online, Google has had to keep up. The company's updated visual results will provide users with a whole new set of use cases for AI Mode, especially since some queries aren't suited for text-based answers, said Robby Stein, vice president of product management at Google Search.

Google's AI Mode gets better at understanding visual prompts

Since it began rolling out , Google has been slowly adding features to its dedicated search chatbot. Today, the company is releasing an update it hopes will make the tool more useful for visual searches. If you've tried to use AI Mode since Google made it available to , you may have noticed it responds to questions about images with a lot of text. Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, admits it can be "silly" to see text in that context, and so the company has been working on applying AI Mode's "query fan-out" technique to images. Now, when you prompt AI Mode to find you images of "moody but maximalist" bedrooms for instance, it's better equipped to respond to that request, with an algorithm that will run multiple searches in the background to get a better understanding of exactly what it is you're looking to find. Google has built this feature to be multimodal, meaning you can start a conversation with an image or video. And as you can probably guess, Google believes these capabilities will be particularly useful in a shopping context. You could use AI Mode to shop before today, but Google argues the experience benefits greatly from the more visual responses the chatbot is able to generate. What's more, it's better able to make sense of tricky queries like "find me barrel jeans that aren't too baggy." Once AI Mode generates an initial response, you can ask follow-up questions to refine your search. As with any Google update, it may take a few days for the company to roll out the updates it announced today to everyone. So be patient if you don't see the new, more visual experience right away.

Google AI Mode adding images to boost visual, shopping results

Google is updating AI Mode to offer a more visual experience when searching for inspiration and shopping. AI Mode responses can now show images alongside text for a richer experience. Getting visual inspiration and shopping are the primary use cases touted today. For example, asking "show me maximalist inspo [inspiration] for my bedroom" will return "rich visuals that match the vibe you're looking for." A key part of this experience is the ability to conversationally refine results, like requesting: "More with dark tones and bold prints." Your follow-ups don't have to be any more specific as chat context is preserved. Each image result is a link that you can visit/expand and "Add to AI conversation." You can also start prompts by uploading an image. On the shopping front, Google equates this new capability as letting you "describe what you're looking for -- like the way you'd talk to a friend -- without having to sort through filters." An example prompt is asking for "barrel jeans that aren't too baggy," with the ability to refine by saying: "I want more ankle length." This takes advantage of the 50+ billion product listings in Google's Shopping Graph. Google is leveraging a technique it calls "visual search fan-out" where AI Mode performs a "comprehensive analysis of an image" to recognize "subtle details and secondary objects in addition to the primary subjects." It then "runs multiple queries in the background" to "understand the full visual context and the nuance of your natural language question to deliver highly relevant visual results." The end result is a grid of images. This breakthrough visual search experience is rooted in our world-class visual understanding of Google Search with Lens and Image search, combined with Gemini 2.5's advanced multimodal and language capabilities. Google says this visual AI Mode is rolling out to US English users starting this week.

AI Mode can now help you search and explore visually

We've all been there: staring at a screen, searching for something you can't quite put into words. Maybe it's a new "vibe" for your apartment or a specific fall coat -- whatever it is, words just don't cut it. But what if you could just show or tell Google what you're thinking and get a rich range of visual results? With a major new update to AI Mode in Google Search, you can now do just that. Starting today, you can ask a question conversationally and get a range of visual results in AI Mode, with the ability to continuously refine your search in the way that's most natural for you. Let's say you're searching for maximalist design inspiration for your bedroom. Now, AI Mode will help you turn your vague idea into a clear vision. You'll see rich visuals that match the vibe you're looking for, and can follow up in whatever way is most natural for you, like asking for more options with dark tones and bold prints. Each image has a link, so you can click out and learn more when something catches your eye. And because the experience is multimodal, you can also start your search by uploading an image or snapping a photo.

Google's AI Mode Gets Richer Visual Responses

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. The AI Mode that Google introduced to Search back in March is still getting new features every few weeks, a sign that Google is seeing big adoption and use during search queries. In this latest update, Google is adding more visual responses that can be continuously refined. Google shared an example of these visual responses by having AI Mode "Show me maximalist inspo for my bedroom," which brought back a short text description followed by a number of images that were links to sites with that kind of bedroom design. As a follow-up, they asked for "More with dark tones and bold prints" to refine the search further. It's pretty simple stuff upfront that should get you more imagery and visuals during a search that probably would benefit from that time of return. This is some sort of "breakthrough" in visual search experiences that Google is using Search, Lens, and Image search to get these results. Of course, it's also powered by Gemini 2.5 and a "visual search fan-out"technique that allows for deeper understanding, should you start a search with an image. But really, all you need to know is that AI Mode can be more visual now for those times when you'd rather see sweet pics than text.

Google's "AI Mode" Search Tool Gets a New Upgrade - Phandroid

Google recently announced that it's bringing over a new update to AI Mode in Google Search, which will now give users access to a wider range of visual results simply by speaking or showing the platform what they're looking for. Powered by Gemini 2.5's advanced multimodal and language capabilities, the new update uses visual understanding technologies like Lens, and is now rolling out in English for users in the U.S. starting this week. READ: Google Chat Refine Feature Uses Gemini AI to Perfect Your Messages Google says that the new update is built on a new "visual search fan-out" technique, which greatly enhances Google's ability to understand images. This allows AI Mode to perform a comprehensive analysis of a photo by recognizing subtle details and secondary objects in addition to the main subject. By running multiple queries in the background, the system then gains a full grasp of the visual context and the user's natural language question for more relevant results. With the new feature, users can begin a search with specific details (i.e. clothing styles, interior design inspirations, etc), and AI Mode will return more relevant visuals based a user's query. The search can be continuously refined in a more conversational approach, with back-and-forth dialogue including follow-up requests. As it is multimodal in nature, users can also start a search by uploading or snapping a photo, and any images provided will come with a link to the source. Furthermore, users on mobile devices can search within a specific image and ask conversational follow-up questions about what they are seeing. For shopping, users can describe what they are seeking in a more causal manner, instead of manually setting filters to fit specific criteria. AI Mode will then provide a set of options available on the market, and users can further give additional details on what they're looking for, such as product colour, pricing, and more.

Google Intros Conversational AI Shopping and New Visual Search | PYMNTS.com

Now, users who ask a question conversationally can get a range of visual results, and refine their search in the manner most natural to them, the tech giant said Tuesday (Sept. 30). "Let's say you're searching for maximalist design inspiration for your bedroom. Now, AI Mode will help you turn your vague idea into a clear vision," Google wrote on its blog. "You'll see rich visuals that match the vibe you're looking for, and can follow up in whatever way is most natural for you, like asking for more options with dark tones and bold prints." Each image comes with a link, the most continues, letting users click out and learn more when something gets their attention. The experience is also multimodal, letting users begin their search by uploading an image or snapping a photo. People who want to shop using this new method can describe what they're searching for -- similar to the way they'd speak with a friend -- without having to sort through filters, and Google will show them visual shopping results. "Perhaps you're looking for the best weekend jeans for fall," the blog post said. "Rather than sifting through filters to find the right style, rise, color, size or brand, just say 'barrel jeans that aren't too baggy,' and AI Mode will intelligently provide a relevant set of shoppable options." Research by PYMNTS Intelligence has shown that AI shopping adoption is already gaining traction among younger and middle-aged consumers, with roughly one-third of all respondents saying they have used or would use generative AI for shopping. "Overall, 32% of people surveyed said they used gen AI for shopping," PYMNTS wrote last month. "The use case reporting the highest percentage was work at 40%, followed by creative endeavors and educational purposes." Aside from Google's new offering, other companies entering into this space include Amazon, whose "Buy For Me" feature allows shoppers to order merchandise from other websites while remaining inside Amazon's platform. PayPal has teamed with Perplexity to serve as the embedded checkout option within the AI chatbot, while Visa and Mastercard are rolling out agentic commerce. More recently, OpenAI said it would begin allowing American ChatGPT users to make purchases from Etsy and some Shopify merchants within the chatbot.

Google's AI Mode expands with visual search capabilities By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Google has launched a major update to AI Mode in Search that enables users to explore and shop visually through conversational interactions. The new feature, rolling out this week in English across the United States, allows users to ask questions conversationally and receive visual results that can be continuously refined through natural language. Users searching for design inspiration can now receive rich visuals matching their described preferences. For example, someone looking for "maximalist design inspiration" for a bedroom can follow up by requesting options with specific elements like dark tones or bold prints. The update also enhances shopping experiences by eliminating the need to sort through multiple filters. Users can describe products conversationally, such as asking for "barrel jeans that aren't too baggy," and receive relevant shoppable options that can be further refined with additional requests. Each image displayed includes a link for users to learn more about items of interest. The system is powered by Google's Shopping Graph, which contains over 50 billion product listings from retailers worldwide, with approximately 2 billion listings refreshed hourly. The technology combines Google's visual understanding capabilities from Lens and Image search with Gemini 2.5's multimodal and language capabilities. Google has implemented a "visual search fan-out" technique that performs comprehensive image analysis, recognizing subtle details and secondary objects beyond primary subjects. On mobile devices, users can also search within specific images by asking follow-up questions about what they're seeing. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.