New upgrades to AI Mode blur the lines between Google Search and the Gemini app

Since Gemini’s arrival in Google Search, there’s been a lot of crossover and connection between the two (AI Overviews, AI Mode, etc.), but there’s always been a pretty clear distinction there, too. You went to the search bar for quick facts and links, and you went to the Gemini app for long-form brainstorming or complex reasoning. But after Google’s latest updates to Search that effectively turn your standard search results page into a full-blown conversational assistant, that line has officially moved to “blurry” status.

Gemini 3: The new global standard for Search

The first big move is that Gemini 3 is now the default model for AI Overviews globally. Up until now, Google was using a “router” system: handling simple questions with faster, lighter models and only calling in the big guns for complex queries.

By making Gemini 3 the standard, Google is ensuring that every AI-generated summary at the top of your search results is powered by its most capable reasoning engine. This means more accurate, nuanced, and helpful snapshots right on the results page, regardless of how difficult your question is.

Seamless handoff to AI Mode

The second update is the one that really changes the feel of the product. Google has introduced a seamless transition from AI Overviews into full conversational AI Mode.

Now, when you see an AI Overview, you can ask a follow-up question directly from that snapshot. Instead of refreshing a search page, you are instantly transported into a back-and-forth chat that maintains the full context of your original search. It feels less like “browsing” and more like a fluid conversation with a researcher who already knows what you’re looking for.

Why it matters

By integrating features like Personal Intelligence (which we covered recently, allowing Search to see your Gmail and Photos) and making conversational AI Mode the default follow-up for every search, Google is effectively turning the main Search homepage into a Gemini portal.

For the user, this is a massive productivity win. You get the quick snapshot when you need it, and a deep, context-aware conversation when you want it, all without ever leaving the search interface. The days of “Search” being just a list of blue links are officially behind us.