What Happens When Real People Try AI Mode?

Google’s AI Mode is live. But do real people actually use it?

Mike King, Farrah Bostic, and Garrett Sussman revealed the findings from the first UX study on AI Mode—how people searched, what frustrated them, and why most still default to Google Search, Reddit, or ChatGPT.

• Search vs. Research: Users don’t treat AI Mode like search. They treat it like a research companion, and only a few are “ride or die” with one AI tool.

• Why AI Mode Falls Short: People want maps, carousels, and trusted publishers. Instead, they get generic lists and links that feel redundant with AI Overviews.

• Generational Splits: Gen Z leans on TikTok and Siri, millennials mix AI assistants and Reddit, while older users stick with desktop search.

• Trust & Accuracy Gaps: Many assume AI results are outdated or wrong. Privacy concerns are high, but not high enough to stop usage.

New Rules for Visibility in AI Search
We showed how context, trust signals, and relevance shape what users accept as “the answer.” Brands that show up in trusted comparisons, forums, and multimodal formats stand out.

You’ll walk away knowing how to:

• Spot where AI Mode fails and where people turn instead

• Build content that matches real user prompts, not keyword guesses

• Align with research behavior, not just transactional search

• Prepare for AI Mode adoption—even if users aren’t ready yet

This one’s for SEOs, marketers, and strategists who want to understand how search behavior is actually shifting—and what that means for your visibility.