Google is officially bringing its AI-powered search experience to Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Poland. The new AI Mode transforms Google from a traditional search engine into what the company calls an “answer engine” — where users can chat directly with the search results and receive full, AI-generated responses.
The rollout, announced this week, marks a significant expansion of Google’s artificial intelligence strategy. The feature had previously been available only in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, before expanding to over 180 countries in August. Now, for the first time, it is accessible within the European Union and Switzerland.
AI integrated directly into Google.com
The AI Mode can be activated directly from Google.com or national Google domains.
Once available, users will see a new “AI” tab next to existing categories like All, Images, Videos, and News.
Because the rollout is gradual, it may take a few days for the new tab to appear in all regions as Google updates its servers.
Previously, Google had introduced AI Overviews — brief summaries that appeared above traditional search results. However, AI Mode goes a step further: it replaces long link lists with a comprehensive answer to the user’s question, complete with citations and linked sources.
The three main references are displayed in small boxes along the right-hand column, giving users quick access to the original websites.
How it works – longer questions, smarter answers
Google says the AI Mode uses a specialized version of its Gemini Pro 2.5 system, optimized for speed and accuracy.
Users can ask complex, multi-layered questions that previously required several separate searches.
As Hema Budaraju, Google’s Vice President overseeing Search and Generative AI, explained during the UK rollout: “Users are now asking richer, more specific questions that reflect how people naturally think.”
In one demonstration, a user asked: “What can we do in Edinburgh this weekend with friends? We love food, music, and relaxed activities off the beaten path.”
The AI responded with a complete weekend itinerary — from restaurant recommendations to live music venues and sightseeing suggestions.
Such examples illustrate how the AI Mode aims to turn Google Search into a personal digital concierge rather than just a directory of links.
Concerns from publishers and businesses
Not everyone welcomes the change. Many publishers, online retailers, and digital marketers worry that AI Mode will reduce website traffic, since fewer users will click through to external pages.
Traditional search results typically displayed dozens of links; AI Mode now condenses that into a single synthesized response.
Some media organizations fear a drop in visibility and revenue.
However, Google insists that high-quality content will still receive traffic, as AI Mode continues to highlight reputable sources.
According to the company, early data from the U.S. and U.K. shows that links included as citations in AI answers achieve strong engagement rates — and may even attract more targeted clicks.
A turning point for the future of search
The European rollout of Google’s AI Mode underscores a global shift in how users find and consume information online.
By blending conversational AI with real-time web search, Google is taking a bold step toward a future where answers are personalized, summarized, and conversational — not just retrieved from a list.
For everyday users, it promises faster and more intuitive results. For website owners, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity to adapt to a new, AI-driven search ecosystem.
