Google launches AI Mode search with animated Doodle across platforms

Google has launched a new Doodle promoting AI Mode, its enhanced search experience that uses artificial intelligence to deliver comprehensive results. The promotion appears across Google’s homepage, Chrome New Tab pages, and mobile apps, featuring animated graphics that transform Google’s logo letters into the company’s gradient ‘G’ icon to symbolize how AI Mode combines and summarizes information.

What you should know: The Doodle campaign represents Google’s most visible push yet for AI Mode adoption, appearing in multiple formats across its platforms.

• On the US homepage, both signed-in and logged-out users see a bouncy animation where the Google wordmark letters combine to form the gradient ‘G’ icon.
• Chrome’s New Tab page displays the new gradient logo with colored dots against a space-themed dark background.
• The homepage includes the tagline “Try AI Mode and search like never before” beneath the search bar, the same promotional space typically reserved for new Pixel phones and major product launches.

How it works: Clicking the Doodle takes users to an AI Mode search results page, complete with an AI Overview explanation and gradient design elements in the top-left corner.

• The animation visually represents how AI Mode brings together information and summarizes it for users.
• Users can access the full AI Mode experience at google.com/aimode.
• The feature appears in both the Google app and at the top of the mobile Discover feed.

Current availability: AI Mode is fully available in the US following its announcement at I/O 2025, with India serving as the first international market for testing.

• Google has been running advertising campaigns for AI Mode across platforms like Reddit alongside this Doodle promotion.
• The rollout follows previous testing phases that included homepage integration and Android 16 QPR1 Beta features.

What’s coming next: Google is developing several advanced features to expand AI Mode’s capabilities beyond traditional search.

• Search Live will enable voice conversations with AI Mode.
• Camera mode integration is planned for later release.
• Deep Search functionality will incorporate personal context from Gmail.
• Agentic capabilities will allow AI Mode to find and purchase tickets autonomously.