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Category: Search Features

Explore Google Search’s New Power with Gemini 3.5 Flash

Today, I’m excited to share that Google has announced the launch of its latest AI model, Gemini 3.5 Flash. This powerful update is now the default engine for Google’s AI Mode, transforming how we experience search every day.

At the recent Google I/O, I learned about Gemini 3.5 Flash directly from Google’s head of Search, Liz Reid. She described this model as Google’s “newest Flash model delivering sustained frontier performance for agents and coding.” It’s thrilling to know that this technology is now impacting users worldwide.

What really excites me is that 3.5 Flash doesn’t just enhance AI Mode in Google Search; it also powers the Gemini app for everyone, regardless of whether they are paid users or not. It’s great to see Google making such advancements widely accessible.

Developers, you’re in for a treat! 3.5 Flash is now integrated into Google Antigravity, Gemini API for Google AI Studio, Android Studio, and more. For those in enterprise, it’s now part of the Enterprise Agent Platform and Gemini Enterprise.

Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind and Chief AI Architect, shared that Gemini 3.5 Flash rivals the intelligence of large flagship models while providing the speed we expect from the Flash series. It outshines previous models, making remarkable strides in agentic and coding performance benchmarks. I’m truly impressed by its capabilities in multimodal understanding too.

Why should I care? Well, with Gemini 3.5, Google Search’s AI Mode is smarter and more efficient than ever. I’m eager to explore how AI Mode’s responses evolve, especially for the queries that matter most to my site.

The rapid changes in search technology mean it’s crucial to stay informed and adaptable. This update reaffirms the importance of keeping pace with Google’s innovations.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

May 19, 2026
Explore Google’s New AI Search Link & Citation Updates

Have you noticed a change in how Google displays links and citations in its AI search features? I recently learned about five key updates that aim to enhance our experience with AI Mode and AI Overviews.

According to Hema Budaraju, VP, Product Management at Google, these upgrades are designed to help us connect with authentic voices and access valuable information across the web. She detailed these updates in a recent article.

Let’s dive into the updates rolling out:

(1) Suggested angles at the end of AI responses. Google now suggests further reading options at the end of AI responses. These link to unique articles or analyses that deepen our understanding of the topic. It’s like having a roadmap to satisfy our curiosity!

Here’s a preview of this feature:

(2) Easier access to your news subscriptions. With this update, Google displays links from our news subscriptions prominently. This means I can quickly access content I trust, maximizing the value of my subscriptions. During Google’s early tests, these subscription links significantly boosted click-through rates.

If you’re a publisher, check out the documentation to enable this feature.

Here’s what this looks like in action:

(3) Social media and online discussions now include creator details. When AI features cite social media, Google includes not only the website’s name but also the creator’s name, handle, and community name. This transparency helps me spot firsthand sources at a glance.

Here’s a glimpse of how this plays out:

(4) More links, next to relevant text. Google is increasing the number of links shown directly within AI responses, strategically placing them next to relevant text. This makes it tempting for me to explore these sources further.

Here’s what it looks like:

(5) Hover over inline links for a quick look. Now when I hover over an inline link in Google’s AI features, I get a sneak peek of the website. This could just be the nudge I need to click through and explore further. I remember seeing Google test this back in February and thought it was a brilliant idea.

Here’s an example of the feature:

Why this matters. Google is committed to ongoing testing and refinements, ensuring these features serve us better. I truly believe these changes will promote more engagement with the cited pages, presenting an exciting step forward for both users and the web ecosystem. The real question is, will they meet my expectations?

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

May 6, 2026
Google’s Preferred Sources Now Available in Every Language

When I learned that Google’s Preferred Sources feature now supports all languages, not just English, I was thrilled. This exciting update means more people can tailor their news experience, regardless of the language they speak.

According to a recent post on Google’s blog, ‘Preferred Sources is now rolling out globally in all supported languages.’ This gives me, and everyone else, more control over the news we see on Search, allowing us to choose our preferred outlets to appear more frequently in Top Stories.

It’s fascinating to reflect on how this feature initially rolled out in December, but was limited to English. Now, it’s a comprehensive tool available globally, no matter the language.

Interesting Stats: Google shared some compelling data with this launch. For instance, readers are reportedly twice as likely to click on a site after marking it as a Preferred Source. Also, over 200,000 unique sites have already been selected by users—from local niche blogs to major global news platforms.

Preferred Sources: This feature lets me star my favorite publications in the Top Stories section of Google Search. By doing so, Google uses that interest to show more stories from those sources. I learned it started in beta back in June and was initially available in the U.S. and India by August, but now it’s part of a worldwide expansion.

How it Works: It’s simple! I just click the star icon next to the Top Stories header in my search results. This allows me to pick preferred sources, provided these sites are constantly updating their content.

Once selected, Google promises to showcase more updates from my favorite sites in Top Stories, provided they have fresh content relevant to my search.

For more detailed information, I can visit this page.

Why it Matters: In the competitive area of Google Search traffic, marking my site as a preferred source can make a significant impact. Google indicated these users are twice as likely to engage, which could help in driving more traffic to my site.

So, I’m adding the preferred source icon to encourage my audience to sign up. If you’re interested, you can make Search Engine Land a preferred source by clicking here.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 30, 2026
Google’s Global Expansion: Experience AI-Driven Search Live

I was thrilled to learn that Google has rolled out its Google Search Live globally, expanding its reach to over 200 countries and territories where AI Mode is available. You can check which languages and regions are supported.

Google attributes this remarkable expansion to its cutting-edge audio and voice model, Gemini 3.1 Flash Live. This model offers more natural and intuitive conversations, and because it is bilingual, it allows individuals worldwide to engage with Search in their language of choice.

How it works. To get started with Search Live, I simply open the Google app on my Android or iOS device and tap the Live icon beneath the Search bar. From there, I can speak my question out loud and receive a helpful audio response. It’s seamless to continue the conversation with follow-up questions or delve deeper using the provided web links. When I need visual context, like figuring out how to install a new shelving unit, I just enable my camera, and it complements Search Live’s suggestions with relevant information from the web.

Moreover, if I’m already using Google Lens to capture an image, tapping on the Live option lets me have a real-time conversation about what I see, bringing what’s in front of me to life.

More. Back in September, Google made Search Live with video available in the U.S., appealing to those who enjoyed its earlier iterations. Initially, it was an opt-in beta, and before that, it featured a talk and listen mode, minus the video component.

Why we care. This development offers a fresh approach for users to interact with Google’s AI through conversation rather than text queries. While this might reduce traditional web traffic, since users get direct answers, the inclusion of citations and links might still benefit content creators and brands, even if users are less compelled to click through for more depth.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

March 26, 2026
Google Enhances AI Recipe Searches to Empower Bloggers

I recently discovered that Google is refining its AI Mode for recipe searches, which is great news for those of us who blog about food. According to Robby Stein from Google, they’ve listened to our feedback about AI Mode’s recipe results.

They’ve made these changes to help us connect better with our audience online. Though I’m still unsure if AI might simplify our recipes too much, these updates should make it easier for users to visit our sites directly.

Starting today, when people look up meal ideas like “easy dinners for two,” they’ll be able to tap on dishes to find links to our recipes and even get a quick overview to spark their culinary creativity.

What it Looks Like Take a look at this video showcasing the feature in action:

More Recipe Details Google is also adding cook time and other details to the results. They found that having this information helps users decide on which recipe to try.

Stein mentioned that more updates are on the horizon, which is promising for us content creators.

Why We Care This update is crucial because traffic from Google’s AI features hasn’t been kind to our visitor numbers. Google’s efforts to make these AI interactions lead more users to our blogs is a step we all welcome.

Will these enhancements bring significant changes? Only time will tell, but I’m hopeful.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

March 4, 2026
Discover Google’s New Interactive AI Link Pop-Up Feature

I’ve just discovered that Google is introducing a dynamic new feature within AI Overviews and AI Mode—more visible links that appear as pop-ups when I hover over them on my desktop. These enhanced link cards offer clearer details about the website content.

After testing this feature, Google has now made it live. If you’re curious about what these new pop-up menus look like, here’s a screenshot that showcases them:

Robby Stein from Google recently shared on X: “New on Search: In AI Overviews and AI Mode, groups of links will automatically appear in a pop-up as you hover over them on desktop, so you can jump right into a website to learn more. And we’ll show more descriptive and prominent link icons within the response across both desktop and mobile.”

He also mentioned, “Our testing shows this new UI is more engaging, making it easier to get to great content across the web.”

This update has the potential to drive more traffic to websites, and I personally look forward to seeing increased visitor numbers from Google’s AI enhancements. Although, at the moment, there’s no way to measure its impact in Search Console.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

February 17, 2026
Control Google’s Use of Your Content in AI Searches
I recently came across some intriguing news that Google might soon allow us to prevent our content from being used in their AI search features. Imagine having the power to opt out of AI Overviews and AI Mode!

Google is looking at ways to enable site owners to stop Google from using site content for Search AI’s generative features, like AI Mode and AI Overviews. They’re doing this in response to new guidelines from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). However, Google wants to ensure any new tools don’t disrupt the core functionality of Google Search.

What Google Has Shared. Google mentioned in a recent blog post:
- “We’re now exploring updates to our controls to let sites specifically opt out of Search generative AI features.”
They clearly state that these options shouldn’t compromise Google Search, saying:
- “Any new controls need to avoid breaking Search in a way that leads to a fragmented or confusing experience for people.”
Anticipated Timeline. It’s uncertain when these new controls will be introduced, but the idea of having more control excites many of us! Many of us—publishers, content creators, site owners—desire control over whether Google can use our content for AI features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode. These forthcoming controls, whenever they appear, will afford us the ability to better manage how Google utilizes our content.

Full Insights. Here’s the full message from Google’s blog this morning:

User behavior is evolving rapidly, and features like AI Overviews help people discover new content and explore more topics. Today, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initiated a consultation on potential new requirements for Google Search, including the controls we offer websites to manage their content in Search AI features. This matter is complex, as it impacts how people find information and how websites get discovered in Search.

We’ve long provided publishers with a variety of controls, based on standards like robots.txt, to dictate how their content appears in Search. As tech evolves, so do our tools. We’ve added controls for Featured Snippets and image previews (relevant to AI Overviews). Recently, we unveiled Google-Extended, a new tool allowing sites to dictate how their content helps train our Gemini models.

Building on this framework and working alongside the web ecosystem, we’re exploring updates to our controls that specifically allow sites to opt out of Search generative AI features. Our mission is to protect Search’s helpfulness while giving websites the right tools to manage their content. We anticipate engaging in the CMA’s process and continuing our discussions with stakeholders.

New controls need to prevent fragmentation or confusion in Search. As AI becomes central to information discovery, new controls must remain simple and scalable for website owners.

We remain hopeful that we can provide more choice to content creators while ensuring a top-tier and innovative Search experience for users.

Why This Matters. It’s clear that more control is better than less. SEOs, publishers, and site owners have long called on Google to provide controls over how our content is used in AI features. These anticipated controls could arrive soon, so stay tuned for updates!

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
January 28, 2026
Unlock Seamless AI Conversations in Google Search

When I dive into Google Search and opt for a follow-up query, I’m seamlessly transitioned into AI Mode, ensuring my experience flows effortlessly into a conversational format. As Robby Stein, Google Search’s VP of Product, noted, this shift enhances the natural progression of our search interactions.

Globally, these AI Overviews are now powered by Gemini 3 by default, which suggests a significant enhancement in the quality of responses.

Experience the Transition to AI Mode. I remember reading about when Google started testing this transformative feature last December, and it officially confirmed the early tests in October 2025. Now, when I ask a follow-up question, I’m immediately engaged in a conversation directly in AI Mode.

Google emphasizes this transition to a conversation as more user-friendly and seamless within the Google Search experience.

But why this change? During testing phases, it became evident that users, like myself, appreciated a search experience that naturally transitioned into a conversation while maintaining context from AI Overviews, thereby making the search process more helpful.

Here’s a glimpse of how it operates:

When I hit “Show more,” AI Mode elegantly overlays the search results. I have the option to return to the original search with a simple click on the X at the screen’s top right corner. Interestingly, all source citations are stripped from this view, presenting challenges for traffic redirection to content creators.

Gemini 3 Powers AI Overviews. Google has expanded the reach of Gemini 3, making it the standard model for all AI Overviews around the globe. Robby’s message was clear: we’re integrating Gemini 3 to deliver premier AI responses directly on the search results page, especially when it proves beneficial.

This represents a shift from a recent announcement where Gemini 3 Pro was dedicated to managing complex queries in English for specific Google AI subscriptions.

Now, with Gemini 3 as the go-to model for AI Overviews worldwide, I’m curious about its global impact.

Why It Matters to Me. While Gemini 3 promises enhanced responses for AI Overviews, the pivotal change is the redirection of follow-up inquiries into AI Mode from Google Search’s AI Overviews. This shift indicates a potential decrease in clicks leading from Google Search to publisher sites, nudging searchers like me directly into AI Mode.

AI Overviews frequently feature prominently in search results, making it challenging to capture clicks from those citations. With this new follow-up experience, it seems my journey from search to source might get even more streamlined towards AI Mode rather than content creators’ sites.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

January 27, 2026
Experience Personalized AI in Google Search’s New AI Mode
I’m excited to share that Google is introducing Personal Intelligence to its AI Mode in Google Search! In a recent Labs experiment, AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. can now opt-in to this feature over the next few days.

Personal Intelligence was first introduced on the Gemini app last week and is now making its way to Google Search for certain users. According to Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, starting today, subscribers can securely connect their Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode, enhancing their search experiences.

This feature allows me to receive more personalized responses by connecting across my Google ecosystem, including Gmail, Photos, and YouTube history, right in Google Search. This rollout will be completed in a few days for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

How to Access Personal Intelligence

This innovative feature is part of a Labs experiment, and opting in is straightforward. It’s available for personal accounts in the U.S., but currently not for Workspace business, enterprise, or education users. Subscribers will automatically gain access as the feature becomes available.

If you’d like to enable it manually, follow these steps:

1) Open Search and tap your profile.

2) Click on Search personalization.

3) Select Connected Content Apps.

4) Connect Workspace and Google Photos.

Inspiring Examples

Imagine asking Google a question like these:
- Help me plan a weekend getaway with my family based on things we like to do.
- Make a scavenger hunt for [partner’s name] to celebrate our anniversary, including a hint about us for each location.
- I’m decorating [child’s name] bedroom; give me theme ideas and decor suggestions.
- If I were the hero/heroine from a book, who would I be?
- What specific era of fashion suits me best?
- Recommend books that fit my current life phase.
- If I were a perfume, what would my top notes and base notes be?
To truly see it in action, you can watch this video:

Why This Matters

This feature, currently available as an opt-in, could become a standard part of Google Search in AI Mode. As a result, searches will become increasingly personalized, making it more challenging to track different website citations for individual users.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
January 22, 2026
Unveiling Google’s New AI Overviews with Gemini 3 Pro
Recently, I’ve noticed that Google has started using Gemini 3 Pro to create AI Overviews on their search platform. This change primarily enhances the handling of more complex search queries.

Back in November, Google announced this improvement for AI Mode results. Then, in December, they began implementing Gemini 3 Flash for AI Mode. Now, it’s exciting to see Google integrating Gemini 3 Pro for generating AI Overviews.

Gemini 3 Pro is now crafting AI Overviews for complicated queries in English, accessible globally to all Google AI Pro & Ultra subscribers.

What Google Shared with Us. Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, expressed this in his recent update:
- “Update: AI Overviews now tap into Gemini 3 Pro for complex topics.”
- “Behind the scenes, Search will intelligently route your toughest Qs to our frontier model (just like we do in AI Mode) while continuing to use faster models for simpler tasks.”
- “Live in English globally for Google AI Pro & Ultra subs.”
Why It Matters to Me. The AI Overviews you see might look quite different than they did recently. Google’s consistent efforts to refine its Gemini models signify ongoing improvements in their AI technologies within Google Search, which includes both AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
January 19, 2026

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