At Google’s recent I/O Conference, the company introduced a major update to how we interact with search: AI Mode. While it’s not the default experience just yet, Google made it clear—AI Mode is the future of search.
So, what does that mean for your business, your website, and your SEO strategy
If you’re ready to stay visible (and ahead of the curve), we’re here to help.
What Is AI Mode?
AI Mode is a new, experimental search experience that delivers conversational, AI-generated responses to your queries. It’s available now to anyone with a Gmail account who opts in through Google Labs.
Instead of just presenting a list of blue links, AI Mode serves up a summary of information at the top of the page—almost like a quick chat with an assistant who’s already read everything for you.
How AI Mode Changes the Search Experience
We did some real-time tests, and here’s what stood out:
- Clean Layout: It’s less cluttered than traditional search results, and the focus is squarely on the AI-generated summary.
- Fewer Clickable Results: There are links, but they’re fewer and, in some cases, surprisingly not hyperlinked. This may change in future iterations.
- Local Results Are Front and Center: Google prioritizes Google Business Profiles over websites for queries with local intent (like looking for cookware in Atlanta).
There are no ads in AI Mode—for now. However, Google has already confirmed that ads will be introduced eventually.
What This Means for SEO
While AI Mode may feel like a big shift, many of the core principles of good SEO still hold up. Here’s how we’re thinking about it:
- SEO Best Practices Still Win: Creating high-quality, helpful content remains key. Google still relies on strong, well-structured content to fuel its AI summaries.
- Local SEO Is More Important Than Ever: If your business has a physical location or serves local customers, your Google Business Profile needs to be fully optimized.
- Ranking at the Top Matters More: With fewer visible results, your content needs to rank high to even appear within the AI-generated summary or accompanying links.
What’s Next?
Want to see this in action? Watch our Loom video breakdown where Bobby walks through Google AI Mode step-by-step.
AI Mode isn’t the default yet, but we believe it’s a matter of time. Expectations will shift as more users opt in and become familiar with AI-driven search, and your SEO strategy should keep pace.
At Papaya Search, we’re monitoring these changes and adjusting our approach to ensure our clients’ visibility where it matters most—whether in traditional listings, AI overviews, or local maps.
If you’re not already on an SEO program with us, now’s the perfect time to get started. And if you are, rest assured: we’re actively evolving your strategy to stay ahead of the curve.
Got questions or want to make sure you’re ready for the future of search?
