On 29 July 2025, Google began rolling out an expanded set of AI Mode capabilities across Search, Chrome, and the Google app for users in the United States. The update introduces PDF uploads, a persistent planning workspace called Canvas, live video search through Google Lens, and a new “Ask Google about this page” shortcut in Chrome.
Key changes
The latest package furthers Google’s push toward multimodal search by adding new input formats, keeping planning tools within reach, and shortening the path to AI-generated answers inside Chrome.
Feature breakdown
- Image uploads on desktop Search - Users can now drag an image directly into the search bar. Google says PDF support will follow “in the weeks ahead.”
- Canvas workspace - U.S. Search Labs participants can save and refine plans - such as study guides or travel itineraries - across multiple sessions in a side panel.
- Search Live with video input - Available this week on Android and iOS. Tapping the “Live” icon in Lens lets users converse with Google while streaming real-time video.
- Chrome’s “Ask Google about this page” - Highlighting text prompts an AI Overview without leaving the current tab. A Lens shortcut also appears in the address bar for faster visual searches.
Why it matters for marketers
The update signals Google’s intention to make AI-assisted, multimodal search a default experience. Marketers should expect:
- Greater emphasis on visual and PDF content optimization as these formats become searchable.
- More conversational, context-aware queries that blend text, images, and live video.
- In-browser AI summaries that may reduce click-through rates for surface-level information.
Background
AI Mode debuted in May 2024 within Search Labs, offering AI Overviews that merge web results with large-language-model output. Google has since layered in image input, voice follow-ups, and Gemini model upgrades. The July 2025 release continues that trajectory and echoes the multimodal capabilities previewed in Project Astra during Google I/O 2024.
Sources
- Google Search Blog - “New ways to use AI Mode in Search” (29 July 2025)
- Google Lens Support - “Interact with Live video” (accessed 29 July 2025)
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