Google now lets you explore the web side-by-side with AI Mode

2026-04-16 · Source: AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Google has introduced significant updates to its AI Mode, a conversational search experience, now allowing users to explore the web side-by-side with AI Mode on Chrome desktop. This feature enables users to click a link and open the webpage alongside the AI interface, facilitating easier comparison of details and follow-up questions while maintaining search context. For instance, when shopping for a coffee maker, users can ask AI Mode specific questions about a product on a retailer's site, with AI Mode drawing context from both the page and the broader web. Additionally, Google rolled out a new capability to search across existing Chrome tabs on both desktop and mobile, allowing users to incorporate content from multiple open tabs, images, or files into their AI Mode searches. These updates are currently available in the U.S., with future expansion planned.

Key takeaway

For product managers developing search or research tools, consider how integrating AI-powered conversational interfaces directly with web content can enhance user workflow. Your design should prioritize reducing context switching and enabling users to bring diverse information sources, like open tabs or files, into their AI queries to provide more relevant and comprehensive assistance.

Key insights

Google's AI Mode now offers side-by-side web exploration and cross-tab search for enhanced contextual understanding.

Principles

• Preserve search context
• Reduce tab switching
• Integrate diverse content

Method

Users can open web pages alongside AI Mode or select recent tabs from a "plus" menu to include their content in AI Mode searches, allowing for contextual queries.

In practice

• Compare product details directly
• Ask contextual questions about articles
• Consolidate research from multiple tabs

Topics

• AI Mode
• Conversational Search
• Side-by-Side Browsing
• Chrome Desktop
• Contextual Search

Best for: Product Manager, General Interest, Tech Journalist, AI Product Manager

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch.