Google’s AI Mode can now show you pictures instead of just words. That changes everything about how we search online.
The search giant rolled out image-based results for AI Mode on Tuesday. Previously, the feature only spit out text answers when you asked questions. Now it can generate visual results for shopping and inspiration searches.
Why does this matter? Because some searches never worked well with text in the first place.
Text Couldn’t Handle These Searches
Think about shopping for jeans or redecorating your bedroom. Reading descriptions doesn’t help much. You need to see options.
That’s exactly what frustrated Google’s product team. “Sometimes what you’re looking for really just can’t be articulated with text,” said Robby Stein, vice president of product management at Google Search.
So they built visual results into AI Mode. Now the tool can show you images when that makes more sense than paragraphs of text.
How Visual Search Actually Works
The new feature taps into multiple Google technologies at once. It combines Gemini 2.5, Google Search, Lens, and Image search capabilities.
Here’s what that means in practice. You can type “Show me maximalist inspo for my bedroom” and get a grid of images. Then refine your results by asking for “bolder prints and dark tones.”
For shopping queries, try “Barrel jeans that aren’t too baggy.” AI Mode displays shoppable options with links to retailer sites. Click any image and you’ll land on the product page.
Each result connects directly to a source. So you’re not just seeing random AI-generated images. You’re getting real products from actual stores.
Why Google Had No Choice
OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch in late 2022 forced Google’s hand. The company dominated search for decades. Then suddenly, users had new ways to find information online.
Google scrambled to integrate generative AI into search. But text-based answers weren’t enough. Competitors kept adding features. Google needed to match them or risk losing users.
Visual results represent Google’s latest attempt to stay relevant. The feature launched in the U.S. back in May as text-only. Now it’s getting the visual upgrade it probably should have had from day one.
Shopping Gets Smarter
AI Mode’s visual shopping results could actually prove useful. Instead of clicking through pages of product listings, you see options immediately.
Plus, the follow-up capability helps narrow choices. Start broad with “summer dresses” then refine with specifics like “floral patterns under $100.”
That’s legitimately better than traditional search. And it makes Google’s AI Mode feel less like a gimmick and more like a practical tool.
The Real Competition
Google isn’t just fighting ChatGPT anymore. Perplexity AI just launched its Comet browser worldwide. Other AI search tools keep popping up with new features.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sora 2 generates stunningly realistic videos. Amazon’s dealing with drone crashes. The AI space moves fast and breaks things constantly.
So Google adding visual results isn’t about innovation. It’s about survival. The company finally recognized that text-only AI search couldn’t compete long-term.
What This Means for Regular Users
If you’re already using AI Mode, visual results just made it significantly more useful. Shopping and decor searches especially benefit from the upgrade.
But here’s the thing. Most people still use traditional Google Search. AI Mode remains opt-in. So this feature helps early adopters but doesn’t change the core search experience yet.
That might shift over time. Google could make visual AI results the default for certain query types. For now though, you need to actively choose AI Mode to access these features.
My Take on Visual AI Search
Google’s visual results solve a real problem. Text descriptions never worked well for shopping or design inspiration. Images make way more sense for those searches.
However, I’m skeptical this will substantially change user behavior. People already know how to search for products. They’ve used Google Shopping and Pinterest for years. AI Mode just consolidates those experiences.
The real test comes when visual AI results become the default. Will users prefer them over traditional search? Or will they stick with familiar interfaces?
Right now, AI Mode feels like Google playing catch-up. The features work fine. But they’re not revolutionary. They’re necessary just to keep pace with competitors who already offer similar capabilities.
Choose AI Mode if visual search sounds useful for your needs. Otherwise, traditional Google Search still works perfectly well for most queries.
