Google Launches Search Live Feature in AI Mode: Here’s How It Works

There was a time when “Googling something” meant typing a few words, clicking a few links, and digging through web pages to find what you needed. Looking for something that you expect in a pile of useless posts was a difficult task. To make your search effortless, Google has introduced Search Live, a voice-powered, conversational extension of AI Mode in Google Search.

This innovative feature extends beyond text-based queries, providing instantaneous spoken interactions powered by Google’s Gemini AI, part of its experimental “AI Mode” that began rolling out to U.S. users following its announcement at Google I/O 2025. Well, this new feature has a lot to reveal, and that’s the exact purpose of this blog. Let’s explore this new feature by Google in its AI mode.

Search Boxes to Search Conversations

For years, Google has been evolving. We saw snippets. Then we got AI Overviews. And now, Search Live feels like the next leap. It started with AI Overviews—those quick, helpful summaries at the top of your search results, powered by Google’s Gemini model. It was great for simple questions but lacked depth and conversation. Users wanted more: follow-up capability, context retention, and natural interaction. That’s where AI Mode came in—a search experience powered by more profound AI logic and now, with Search Live, one that also speaks. It’s conversational, yes. But it’s also live, dynamic, and beautifully intuitive. You’re no longer constrained to typing. You ask. Google listens. It responds like an instantaneous and live dialogue partner.

Search That Talks Back

Google’s vision behind AI Mode is to push search beyond static results and into “AI-native interfaces”—search experiences centred around conversation and comprehension.

1. AI Overviews debuted in 2023, offering AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. Users appreciated the quick synopses with links, though accuracy wavered at times. In early 2025, Google launched AI Mode as an experimental continuation of that idea, offering deeper interaction with its Gemini models over multiple query fan-outs—breaking questions into subtopics, conducting web-wide exploration, and returning AI-powered summaries with citations.

2. Underpinning this advanced search experience is Gemini 2.5, Google’s latest multimodal large language model, equipped with sophisticated reasoning capabilities. Project Astra, previously used in Gemini Live, enables Search Live to understand voice queries in real-time and soon process live camera inputs—bringing in multi-sensory search capabilities.

Together, Gemini and Astra set the stage for Search Live, which takes conversational search to a powerful new level.

Launch Timeline: From Labs to Live

1. At Google I/O (May 2025), AI Mode was publicly announced, including features like Deep Search, camera-based queries, and eye-catching live conversational search. Demonstrations included live voice interactions and shots of what would soon become Search Live, previewing a more intelligent and interactive Google experience.

2. Google introduced Search Live via the Search Labs experiment, where enrolled U.S. users on Android and iOS devices could test this voice-first feature. This approach allowed Google to gather feedback on UX, voice options, context handling, and integration with other features, ensuring a smart, reliable experience.

3. As of mid-June 2025, both AI Mode and Search Live are available in the United States via the Google app on Android and iOS. No prior opt-in is required for AI Mode. Simply update your app and engage with the new AI-powered search tab. A small group of U.S. users continues to test Search Live through Labs, offering valuable feedback that will guide further refinement.

How Search Live Works

1. Launching the Feature: Open the Google app – ensure you’re using the up-to-date version. Choose AI Mode (via the tab or search bar). Tap the Live icon, a waveform badge under the search bar reminiscent of the Gemini sparkle

2. Voice Chat: Ask a question aloud. Google listens and channels the query into its Gemini-powered AI model. It speaks back: receiving an audio reply you can hear. Follow up with related queries that you have in your mind.

3. Transcript Mode & Multitasking: Tap Transcript to switch to text-based responses—streamlined with clickable links. Background support—you can use other apps while the conversation continues.

4. Access to Web Links: Voice responses are accompanied by a scrollable carousel of relevant web links, allowing users to explore sources in more depth.

5. Conversation History: All your voice dialogues are saved in AI Mode history, letting you revisit or continue past conversations.

6. Voice Preferences: Choose one of four unique AI voice personas—Cosmo, Neso, Terra, or Cassini—through settings.

7. Camera Mode (Coming Soon): While camera-based search isn’t active in Search Live yet, this feature is getting built in, leveraging Project Astra and Google Lens integration

Benefits and Impacts of Search Live

1. Hands-Free, Hyper-Efficient: Search Ideal for busy users: you can search while cooking, commuting, or exercising—without typing. Background mode ensures your search won’t interrupt other tasks.

2. Natural Conversation Means Deeper Insight: The back-and-forth flow enables you to refine queries, ask follow-up questions, and clarify nuances, delivering more context-aware results. The assistant may even ask clarifying questions to tailor its responses better.

3. Multimodal Search: Users can type or speak queries, then seamlessly switch modes. The upcoming visual interaction strengthens use cases—imagine pointing at a plant or part and receiving real-time information communicated back to you.

4. Easy Access to Verified Sources: Voice responses feature embedded links, combining the best of conversational AI with web-based fact-checking.

5. Personalization & Memory: History saves your ongoing sessions. AI Mode’s agents and Deep Search, paired with future integrations such as Gmail context, enable personalized suggestions and automate tasks.

Conclusion

Hence, Search Live marks a milestone in bringing voice, AI, and intelligence into a cohesive search experience. It reimagines Google Search as an interactive, conversational, multimodal assistant—listening to you, thinking, seeing, and adapting.

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