If you’ve followed SEO (search engine optimisation) news lately, you might have seen headlines claiming Google’s AI (artificial intelligence) Mode is about to become the default way we all search online.
The story started when Logan Kilpatrick, a product manager at Google, suggested the switch could happen “soon”. A few days later, Robby Stein, Google’s VP, poured a little cold water on the panic.
In a post on X, he wrote:
“Wouldn’t read too much into this. We’re focusing on making it easy to access AI Mode for those who want it.”
In other words, don’t panic… yet.
But is AI Mode about to replace the familiar list of blue links? The honest answer is: maybe, but maybe not right now. What we do know is that AI Mode is expanding. While it might not be the default today, the direction of travel is clear – Google is leaning harder into AI-driven results.
Why does this matter to you? Because even if it isn’t the default today, preparing for it now means you won’t be scrambling later. AI Mode doesn’t just regurgitate 10 links; it pulls together summaries, comparisons and follow-ups. If your content isn’t structured, clear and credible, you risk being left out – or worse, being mentioned without a link back to your site.
This is where the speculation becomes useful. Rather than waiting for a press release confirming “AI Mode is default”, businesses should be looking at their content today. Are you producing articles that explore questions in depth, not just listing features? Are your pages easy for Google to understand, with proper citations and schema? If not, you might be visible in classic search but invisible when AI is doing the talking.
Of course, it’s also possible AI Mode stays optional for years. But preparing for it now is a win either way, because the same improvements that make you AI-ready – better structure, richer content, stronger trust signals – also improve your performance in standard search.
At Engage Web, we take the speculation out of your hands. We track every rumour, rollout and roadmap update so you don’t have to. Whether AI Mode becomes the default next month or next decade, our job is to keep your business visible wherever people are searching.
Want to be ready for whatever Google throws next? Speak to the team today and let’s future-proof your visibility.
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