Sorry, not sorry, but... There’s another AI tool you need to know aboutJust when you’d wrapped your head around AI Overviews, along comes another acronym to keep you up at night: AI Mode.Currently tucked away in Search Labs and only available to Gemini Advanced users in the US, AI Mode is Google’s most aggressive move yet into conversational, AI-powered search. Think of it as a search assistant that doesn’t just serve results - it generates entire responses, cites sources (sometimes), and lets users keep the conversation going, ChatGPT-style.And if your brand doesn't show up in those conversations, you'll be left behind.GoogleAI Mode ExplainedAI Mode is a new generative search experience built into Google Search - separate from traditional blue links and even AI Overviews. Instead of typing a query and scanning the usual blue results, AI Mode lets users chat directly with Google’s most advanced model yet, Gemini 2.5.It’s available in the US only, and even then, you’ll need to be over 18, searching in English, and signed in to Gemini Advanced (the paid version of Gemini) to use it. You’ll find AI Mode tucked inside Search Labs or as a toggle in the Google app and Chrome browser.Search Engine JournalOnce activated, it shifts the entire experience. You’re not just searching - you’re having a back-and-forth with an AI assistant. Very GPT-esque. That means:• It’s conversational: Ask a question, then ask follow-ups. You’re not starting from scratch each time.• It’s reasoning across topics: AI Mode uses what’s called “query fan-out” behind the scenes. It breaks down your query into multiple sub-questions and pulls together an answer across different angles. That means it's got answers on-hand to any potential questions you might ask relating to your original one. • It’s generative + real-time: Responses are generated by the model, but also pull in live web data, so you’ll often see sources, links, or product cards baked into the an...