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

Chrome introduces AI Mode for Side-by-Side Web Exploration

Google has unveiled an update for Chrome users called AI Mode, a feature designed to enhance the online browsing experience by allowing users to explore websites and interact with AI-powered conversational search simultaneously. Now, when you click on a link while using AI Mode on Chrome desktop, the web page opens next to the AI panel. This side-by-side layout makes it easier to view relevant information, compare options, and get real-time answers to follow-up questions without losing the context of what you’re researching.

How AI Mode Improves Web Research

For instance, if you're searching for a new coffee maker, you can describe your needs to the AI, receive a curated list of options, and then instantly open a product page right next to the AI interface. You can ask specific questions like “How easy is this model to clean?” and the AI will gather contextual answers using information from the current page and the wider web.

Users found the side-by-side feature helpful for avoiding constant tab switching, especially when working through detailed articles or lengthy videos, according to Google's early feedback.

Expanded Search Across Open Tabs

In addition to side-by-side browsing, Google has introduced an improved way to search across Chrome tabs. By clicking the new “plus” menu in the search box on the “New Tab” page or within AI Mode, users can select from recent tabs, images, or files, and include their content in an AI search. This creates a more holistic search experience, especially useful for research tasks like gathering information on local hiking trails or preparing for exams with material from multiple sources.

Availability and What’s Next

These enhancements to AI Mode are rolling out first in the United States, with plans to reach additional regions in the future.

For more details, see the original TechCrunch article.