Google tests option to direct Chrome searches to AI Mode

Google is reportedly exploring a new feature that could send Chrome users directly to its AI-powered search experience rather than to the traditional search results page.

The experimental feature was discovered in Chrome Canary, Google’s early testing version of the browser designed for developers and advanced users. According to Windows Report, a hidden flag in Chrome allows search queries entered in the address bar to open directly in AI Mode. The publication said the feature appears more polished than many early-stage experiments, suggesting it could be part of a broader effort to expand AI-powered search experiences.

At present, users who perform a search in Chrome are taken to Google’s standard results page. This page displays an AI Overview at the top, summarising information from various sources, followed by conventional web links that direct users to individual websites. Those who wish to use AI Mode must manually switch to the dedicated tab.

A shift towards AI-first search

If the newly discovered feature is enabled, searches entered in Chrome no longer open the standard results page by default. Instead, users are taken directly to AI Mode, which functions more like a conversational chatbot than a traditional search engine.

The AI Mode interface allows users to interact with search results through a dialogue-based experience. Rather than presenting a list of links, the system generates responses and follow-up suggestions designed to keep users engaged within the conversation.

Google has not publicly announced the test, nor has it confirmed whether the feature will eventually be made available to all users. However, the company’s recent product announcements suggest that artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central to its search strategy.

The experiment reflects a wider trend across the technology industry, where companies are integrating generative AI into products that have traditionally relied on keyword-based search and navigation. For Google, the move could represent another step towards transforming how people discover information online.

Google’s growing investment in artificial intelligence

The discovery follows several major AI-related announcements made by Google in recent months. During its I/O 2026 developer conference, the company introduced the Intelligent Search Box, a new search tool that accepts a wider range of inputs than conventional text queries.

The feature allows users to search using videos, images, files and even open Chrome browser tabs. Google positioned the technology as a way to make searching more natural and context-aware, enabling users to find information without having to formulate precise text-based questions.

The company’s continued investment in AI-powered search has generated mixed reactions among internet users. While some welcome the added convenience and advanced capabilities, others have expressed concerns about the increasing presence of artificial intelligence within everyday online experiences.

Following Google’s announcement of the Intelligent Search Box, privacy-focused search provider DuckDuckGo reportedly saw a rise in installations and usage of its search platform, which excludes AI-generated responses. The increase was widely interpreted as a sign that some users are actively seeking alternatives that prioritise traditional search results over AI-generated content.

As competition in the search market intensifies, user preferences are becoming an important factor in shaping how technology companies introduce and expand AI features.

No immediate plans for a wider rollout

Users interested in testing the feature can currently find it within Chrome Canary by visiting the browser’s experimental settings page at chrome://flags. A new option labelled “Fulfil Searchbox Queries in AI Mode” can be enabled manually.

According to the feature description, the experiment is designed to work across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. This suggests Google is evaluating the concept across its broader desktop ecosystem rather than limiting testing to a single operating system.

Despite the feature’s apparent readiness, there is currently no indication that Google plans to launch it publicly in the near future. Windows Report said it identified a comment associated with the feature’s development, stating: “This is just for exploration. There are no current plans to push this live.”

That statement indicates the project remains in an exploratory phase and may never progress beyond internal testing. Large technology companies frequently trial experimental features to assess technical feasibility and user interest before deciding whether to proceed with a wider release.

For now, the discovery offers an insight into how Google may be considering the future of search, with conversational AI potentially playing a more prominent role in how users access information through Chrome.