Google announced on Thursday that it’s rolling out a new way to explore the web with AI Mode, its conversational search experience. Now, when you’re using AI Mode on Chrome desktop, clicking a link will open the web page side-by-side with AI Mode.

The goal is to make it easier to explore relevant websites, compare details, and ask follow-up questions while preserving the context of your search, the tech giant says.

For example, if you want to purchase a new a coffee maker, you can describe what you’re looking for in AI Mode and get a range of options. Once you click on one, you can open the retailer’s website alongside AI Mode and ask specific questions, like “how easy is this to clean?” AI Mode will then use context from the page and from across the web to answer your questions.

Image Credits:Google /

“Our early testers loved that they didn’t have to constantly switch tabs to get help with a comprehensive article or a long video,” Google explained in a blog post. “And they found that having both Search and the web side-by-side helped them stay focused on their tasks while exploring useful web pages.”

Google also announced a new way to search across the Chrome tabs you’re already looking at.

On Chrome desktop or mobile, you can tap the new “plus” menu in the search box on the “New Tab” page or in AI Mode, then select recent tabs to include them in your search. This means you can mix and match multiple tabs, images, or files and bring that context into your AI Mode searches.

For example, if you’re researching local hiking trails and already have a few tabs open, you can add them to your search and ask for similar trails in a different location. Or, if you’re studying for a statistics exam, you can bring in context from open tabs, class notes, lecture slides, and more to ask for examples to illustrate a concept.

Techcrunch event

Meet your next investor or portfolio startup at Disrupt

Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $410.

Meet your next investor or portfolio startup at Disrupt

San Francisco, CA

October 13-15, 2026

The new updates to AI Mode are now available in the U.S. Google plans to expand them to additional regions in the future.

Topics

AI, ai mode, Apps, Google

Aisha Malik

Consumer News Reporter

Aisha is a consumer news reporter at TechCrunch. Prior to joining the publication in 2021, she was a telecom reporter at MobileSyrup. Aisha holds an honours bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto and a master’s degree in journalism from Western University.

You can contact or verify outreach from Aisha by emailing aisha@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message at aisha_malik.01 on Signal.

View Bio

April 30

San Francisco, CA

StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited.

Google now lets you explore the web side-by-side with AI Mode