Google has introduced Search Live, a new voice feature for its AI Mode, marking a significant advancement in its AI-powered search experience and further integrating real-time voice interaction with its comprehensive search capabilities and AI chatbot experience.
The introduction of Search Live follows a period of rapid evolution for Google’s AI Mode, which began on May 1, 2025, when Google made its AI Mode search experiment broadly available for public testing, removing previous waitlists. This initial rollout paved the way for a more robust integration of artificial intelligence into the core search experience. By May 17, 2025, reports indicated that Google was actively preparing its AI Mode search tool for a primetime launch, signaling its strategic importance. Just three days later, on May 20, 2025, Google AI Mode officially launched in the U.S., marking a new era for search. The public release of AI Mode was officially highlighted at Google I/O 2025, Google’s annual developer conference, where the company formally unveiled this new paradigm of search.
AI Mode’s foundational elements include AI Overviews, which provide summarized answers directly within search results, and an AI-generated version of the popular People Also Ask (PAA) feature, offering contextually relevant follow-up questions. The core of AI Mode is a chatbot-like interface seamlessly integrated directly within the search page itself. Search Live, the newly launched voice feature, was initially previewed as “Project Astra” by the Google DeepMind team at this year’s Google I/O. A compelling demonstration at the conference featured a bike mechanic using the research prototype on his phone to vocally inquire about specific information from a user manual, illustrating the practical applications of the technology.
A key innovation of Search Live is its ability to operate in the background of a user’s phone, allowing users to continue speaking to the AI and conducting searches even while actively using other applications, providing a seamless and hands-free experience. Google highlighted the utility of this feature, stating, “This is perfect for when you’re on the go or multitasking, like if you’re packing for a trip.” Users could, for instance, verbally ask for tips on how to prevent clothes from getting wrinkled in a suitcase, receiving instant, AI-generated guidance. Google noted that a precursor to this voice mode already exists within its Gemini app, known as “Gemini Live.” However, with today’s announcement, the underlying Gemini voice capability is now directly integrated into the core search experience, enhancing accessibility and utility.
Search Live with voice input is currently available on the Google mobile app for both Android and iOS devices. To access this feature, users must be based in the U.S. and actively enrolled in the AI Mode experiment within Google’s Labs program. Once enrolled, users can initiate Search Live by tapping a new icon conveniently located directly under the search bar in the Google app. Google has also confirmed that live camera support for Search Live will be rolled out in the “coming months,” promising an even more interactive and versatile search experience.
While Google’s AI Mode represents a significant leap forward in search technology, its impact on the broader digital ecosystem is a topic of ongoing discussion. Publishers have expressed concerns that AI Mode is “throttling traffic to outbound sites.” As the AI-powered search engine increasingly provides direct answers and summaries, it may reduce the necessity for users to click through to external websites, potentially affecting website visibility and revenue streams for content creators. This shift signals Google’s move towards becoming a destination for information rather than merely a gateway to it, transforming search into something that more closely resembles conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
With expanded capabilities such as voice support and forthcoming camera integration, Google’s strategic vision for AI Mode appears to transcend traditional search. The company aims to evolve AI Mode beyond a mere information retrieval tool, positioning it as an indispensable “AI companion” that can assist users in a multitude of daily tasks and inquiries, thereby solidifying its role at the forefront of the AI revolution.
