SEO & AEO

Google Rolls Out AI Mode Search in Australia

It's finally here: Google AI Mode is now available in Australia

Updated July 29, 2026

Read time 4 min read

Google Rolls Out AI Mode Search in Australia

In the coming days, Australian users will be able to select a new Google search option: AI Mode. ‘AI Mode’ will appear next to: ‘All’, ‘Images’, ‘Shopping’, etc and will be the option selected when a user wants Google’s Gemini AI to do the heavy lifting and provide a comprehensive, multisource answer to their question.

Gone are the days of finding answers by visiting multiple websites and clicking between multiple tabs. AI mode allows users to interact with an AI assistant without leaving Google.

A New Kind of Multimodal Search

AI Mode introduces a new way to search for information — by text, voice, or image. Instead of typing a query, users can speak or add a photo.

Want help choosing your meal at a restaurant? You could take a photo of the menu and ask Google, “Which entrée and main combination would be lowest in carbohydrates?” Or, while travelling, you might photograph an interesting building and ask, “When was this built, and who designed it?”

One Search; Multiple Answers

Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, AI Mode uses a method known as ‘query fan-out,’ going beyond direct answers, anticipating context and follow-up queries. This approach analyses the intent of a user’s question and predicts related information they might be looking for next. Which entrée and main should you have? AI Mode will likely give you three options, provide the calorie count and tell you how much exercise you will need to do tomorrow – Plus give you images and customer reviews, in the one result page.

If you upload an image of a historic building, AI Mode will identify the architectural style and the architect, and also provide details about opening hours, entry fees, historically significant events that took place there, and how the site has been restored over time – Plus provide you with the means to book a ticket.

Changing Search Behaviour

AI Mode is an extension of the many versions of natural language search models Google has released over the years and will lead to a rapid change in how people search online. With the ability to add photos, search queries will look like this: “What building is this, and should I visit it instead of the Eiffel Tower?”

Comparison-based queries will increase as consumers use AI to help them make purchasing decisions: “Which camera is best for content creators, reliable, and affordable? Compare three top models.”

Search results in AI Mode will be drawn from company websites, review sites, expert articles, YouTube, blogs, and product catalogues – all synthesised into a comparison table for the consumer, including a recommendation. And that’s what should concern businesses.

Will Google AI Mode recommend your product?

Customers Over Keywords

How keyword research tools will be able to show all the variations of natural language queries that people enter into search engines is likely a challenge being discussed across boardrooms around the globe. Keywords and keyword rankings are a thing of the past.

Customer language, content that is genuinely useful and multimodal is what matters - and being AI friendly.

Zero-Click Searches on the Rise (Again)

The rise of AI-powered search means fewer clicks. Even before AI Mode, approximately 60% of Google searches were ending without a single click. With the launch of Google AI Mode, this behaviour will increase. Instead of clicking through to external websites, users will find complete responses (comparisons, reviews, images, and summaries) all in one place. And it’s no surprise - customers are already used to getting full answers directly from AI engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, without ever visiting a website. AI Mode simply brings that experience into Google Search.

For businesses, this means visibility inside AI Answer Engines (Google, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.) is now just as important as traditional SEO visibility ever was.

AI Mode is an extension of the many versions of natural language search models Google has released over the years
Comparison-based queries will increase as consumers use AI to help them make purchasing decisions
Search results in AI Mode will be drawn from company websites, review sites, expert articles, YouTube, blogs, and product catalogues
AIO focusses on technical accessibility as well as language, topics, content, authority and trust signals

AI Mode Readiness

Just as SEO ensures search engines can access your website, understand the content and identify trust and authority signals, AIO does the same for AI Answer Engines.

AIO focusses on technical accessibility as well as language, topics, content, authority and trust signals – at your website plus around the web.

Check out our guide on How to Stay Visible in an AI-Powered Search Landscape.