Google Changed The Search Box. can you tell?

Used to be you type a few keywords into the search bar, and links show up. Just links. Images too, sometimes. Now Google's turning Search into a multimodal AI input box, so it doesn't just accept keywords anymore, it also takes text, images, videos, files, open Chrome tabs, the Elden Ring, the Enchiridion, the lost-but-later-found-and-destroyed Diadem, and 3 centaurs because four is too much and five is illegal.

It also expands, so you type a paragraph and it grows to accommodate all the text. You can also add multiple input types at once. Drag and drop a photo, type a question, all in one query.

Neat.

The new search is powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, which is now the default model for AI Mode worldwide. Like any proud parent, Google says it produces responses four times faster than previous AI Mode models.

Google Search Features

Google has two AI search features.

AI Overviews: These are the AI-generated summaries at the top of search results with over 2.5 billion monthly active users. Big number. Huge.

AI Mode: This is the full conversational chat interface, just like ChatGPT. Has over 1 billion monthly active users. Also huge.

With the new integration, when you see an AI Overview and want to follow up, you can now switch directly into AI Mode without losing context. No more starting from scratch.

New Features Rundown

They're going heavy on the agentic features.

Search Agents: Google is introducing "information agents" which are AI systems that work for you even when you're offline. Let's say you're tracking a specific launch, maybe shoes or makeup, whatever you're into, the agent will watch for when it's released, what price, what retailers, then notify you immediately. They launch this summer, but Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers get access first.

Generative UI: Google is introducing "generative UI", so Search can build custom interactive interfaces directly inside your results. Say you want to know how a black hole works, it generates an interactive 3D simulation you can play with. Or maybe you want a workout tracker. It creates a custom dashboard connected to your calendar and weather. But they are not separate apps. They live inside Search, though you can share them with others.

Google Will Call Businesses for You: US users will be able to ask Google to call a business on their behalf, for select categories (home repair, beauty, pet care). With your permission, of course.

Personal Intelligence: Google is expanding Personal Intelligence in AI Mode to nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages, for free. Hmm. If you turn this feature on, you can connect your Gmail and Google Photos (Calendar coming soon) to Search, then ask questions like:

• 'What was the name of that restaurant I went to last month?'
• 'Show me photos from my last trip to the mall'
• 'Summarize my emails from the past week'

Google says you control this. The feature only works if you link your apps. This sounds a little like sorcery, to be honest. Anyway. Curious about how this works in real-time.

Why Now?

The numbers. Take a look.

The Catch (There's Always One)

This is bad for SEO. Not bad like 'oh no', but like really bad. Sites rely on google traffic. They set up SEO so when you search, you're pointed to the info on their site, and they make money through that traffic.

But when all the answers stay inside the AI overview, publishers lose traffic. What is traffic? Revenue. Fancy word for money. This new generative UI could make it way worse. Google hasn't said anything about this SEO issue yet.

All of these AI features are optional. You can opt out, or just use the Web tab when searching for info.

The web's role as a source of info is changing right now, but is it progress or a problem? The answer may depend on your view of the search box.