Google boosts its AI Mode with a more ‘human’ and conversational image search
Google aims to make your image searches as easy as chatting with a friend. With its new update to its “AI Mode”, the company introduces a much more conversational visual search, designed to make online shopping easier.
Describe Rather Than Filter
Gone are the days of checking boxes like “size, color, brand”. Now, you can simply describe what you’re looking for, and Google’s AI will handle the rest.
Example:
- “I want a pair of Levi’s jeans, but not too baggy.”
- Then refine: “Show me the ankle-length version” or “Add a faded effect.”
The result: a visual selection of clickable options leading directly to online retailers.
AI Mode also allows you to:
- Start with a reference photo (upload or capture).
- Mix text and images to refine your search.
- Explore broader inspirations, such as interior design or fashion, without an immediate intent to buy.
Beneath the Surface of AI Mode: Gemini 2.5 and Lens
This advancement relies on Google Lens, Image Search, and the multimodal capabilities of Gemini 2.5, which can recognize subtle details and secondary objects in an image to better understand context. The experience is thus more rich and precise than a basic image search engine.
As always, the rollout will be gradual:
- Language: English only for starters.
- Region: United States.
- Availability: this week, gradually rolling out to user accounts.
With this new step, Google is transforming visual search into an interactive and continuous experience, allowing users to refine their queries as if engaged in a conversation. This gives Google a competitive edge over Amazon and Pinterest, which are also focusing on visual search and image-based shopping.
