How to enable Google AI search: a step-by-step guide

Google search is evolving rapidly, moving beyond traditional blue links into a more intelligent, conversational experience. With the introduction of Google AI search, users can now see AI-generated summaries, explore topics in greater depth and ask follow-up questions directly within search results.

What is Google AI search? 

Google AI search is a generative AI model within Google’s core search engine. Instead of returning only a list of links, Google now uses artificial intelligence to understand intent, synthesise information from multiple sources and present direct answers.

You may see this referred to as Google AI Overviews, Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) or Gemini AI search. While the names differ, they all point to the same shift: search results that are more contextual, explanatory and interactive. Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, now powers many of these features behind the scenes.

What makes this change significant is how it alters the search journey. Rather than clicking through several pages to piece together an answer, users often see a concise overview at the top of the page. These can summarise complex topics, explain processes step-by-step, or even compare products. In many cases, users can continue the interaction by asking follow-up questions, turning search into a conversational experience.

Is Google AI search available to everyone? 

Google AI search is still rolling out, which means availability can vary depending on several factors. Most users need to be signed in to a Google account and access is currently limited to supported regions such as the US, the UK and select other countries as Google expands the feature globally.

These AI search features are restricted to users aged 18 and over. Account type matters as well. Personal Google accounts typically have full access, while some Google Workspace accounts may be limited depending on organisational settings.

In some cases, AI Overviews appear automatically. In others, users must manually opt in through Google Search Labs. If Google AI search is not showing, it’s usually due to regional availability, account restrictions or the feature not yet being enabled in your settings.

How to enable Google AI search on desktop

If you’re trying to enable Google AI search on a desktop, the setup is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Here’s how:

• Step 1: Sign in to your Google account in your web browser.
• Step 2: Visit Google Search Labs.
• Step 3: Locate the option for AI features such as AI Overviews or the Search Generative Experience and toggle it on.
• Step 4: Review and accept the terms of use when prompted.
• Step 5: Return to Google Search and refresh the page.

Once enabled, you’ll start seeing AI-generated summaries appear for certain queries. These usually appear above traditional search results, with links clearly cited beneath the AI response.

While Google AI search works across most modern browsers, Chrome tends to receive new features first. Other browsers like Safari, Edge or Firefox may still support the experience but sometimes with delayed updates.

How to enable Google AI search on mobile 

Enabling Google AI search on mobile depends largely on whether you’re using the Google app or a mobile browser. In most cases, the Google app provides the most consistent experience. Here’s how to access these features on Android and IOS:

Android

• Update the Google app via Play Store
• Open the app, go to settings and find “Search Labs”
• Click enable AI features

iPhone (iOS)

• Update the Google app from the App Store
• Open the app and access Search Labs
• Toggle AI features on

If the toggle doesn’t appear, the issue is often an outdated app or a region where the feature hasn’t fully rolled out yet. Keeping the app up to date is essential for accessing new AI search capabilities.

How to use Google AI search after enabling it

Once Google AI search is enabled, the experience feels noticeably different from traditional search. For many informational or exploratory queries, Google displays an AI Overview at the top of the page. This summarises the topic and highlights key points, while still linking to source websites for deeper reading.

The ability to ask follow-up questions is one of the most powerful features. Instead of starting a new search, users can refine or expand on the AI’s response, making research more efficient and intuitive. This is particularly useful for planning, learning new topics or comparing products and services.

That said, AI doesn’t replace classic search results entirely. For navigational or highly transactional searches, Google often prioritises traditional links, ensuring users still have direct access to official websites and product pages.

Can you turn off Google AI search? 

Google gives users full control over AI search features. If you decide the experience isn’t for you, AI features can be disabled at any time through Google Search Labs.

From a privacy standpoint, AI-powered searches are treated similarly to standard searches. They may use search history to improve relevance, but users can manage personalisation, review activity or delete search history through their Google account settings. 

What’s next for Google AI search?

Google AI search is still evolving. Future updates are expected to deepen Gemini integration, making responses more accurate and context-aware. Google is also moving toward multimodal search, where users can combine text, images and voice queries into a single experience.

Voice search, in particular, is likely to become more conversational as AI capabilities improve. Over time, search will feel less like a query-response system and more like an ongoing dialogue.

Is Google AI search worth enabling?

For most users, enabling Google AI search is highly valuable. The ability to see AI summaries in Google, ask follow-up questions and explore topics more efficiently can save significant time.

Enabling these features early also helps users understand how AI-powered Google search is shaping the future of online discovery.