AI search. Reviewed October 29, 2026
AI Mode
Also called: Google AI Mode
AI Mode is Google's chat-style search tab that answers in full sentences with cited sources, drawing on the same index and the same Business Profile data as regular Google search.
In practice
When someone asks it for a plumber in a city, it reads Business Profiles, reviews and websites and names a few. A complete profile with recent reviews and a site that states services and areas plainly is what gets named.
There is nothing separate to optimize for it. The work is the same as local SEO done thoroughly.
Related terms
- AI OverviewsAI Overviews are the AI-written summaries Google shows at the top of some search results, with links to the pages it drew the answer from.
- AI searchAI search is any search where an assistant such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini or Google's AI Mode writes the answer and names a few businesses or sources, instead of returning ten links.
- Google Business ProfileGoogle Business Profile is the free listing that puts a business on Google Maps and in the map pack, with its hours, phone number, reviews, photos and service area.
Go deeper
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