Google is rolling out a new feature that could change how you interact with Search on your phone. Known as Search Live, this upgrade is designed to make mobile search feel more like a conversation, rather than the traditional query format.
Now available as part of Google’s experimental AI Mode within the Google app for both iOS and Android, Search Live allows for a more natural, voice-based interaction.
Drawing inspiration from Gemini Live, Google’s voice-based chat feature, Search Live lets users speak their questions aloud and seamlessly follow up with additional queries. No need to retype or restart the interaction-just ask away, and the conversation continues. The goal is to enable a smoother, hands-free experience, especially in multitasking situations.
For example, you could ask for directions, then follow up with a question about nearby restaurants, and later inquire about their hours-all without having to start a new search. You simply open the Google app, tap the new Live icon, and start talking. As you speak, the app responds by populating your screen with relevant links and results, allowing you to explore further or access sources from the web.
This feature is currently limited to users in the US who have opted into the AI Mode experiment through Google Labs. As part of Google’s larger vision to make Search more conversational and proactive, Search Live offers a voice-based search option alongside traditional results.
While Search Live isn’t replacing Google Search as we know it, it introduces an intuitive layer that may be more convenient when you’re on the go-whether walking, driving, or cooking. There’s no word yet on when or if this feature will be available globally, but its early availability in the US hints at Google testing how people engage with voice-driven Search.
In the end, whether Search Live becomes a long-term staple will depend on user feedback and how seamlessly it fits into daily routines. For me, this new approach seems perfect for enhancing the everyday search experience, especially when using Google’s search bar. However, it’s another sign that Google is keen to reshape how we interact with AI, even in the most familiar places like Search.
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