Google AI ModeTool Switching in Composer
Google AI Mode on google.com: personalized greeting, + menu for attach and modes, AI Mode toggle, Lens, Canvas, and Create images.
Personalized greeting, Ask Google placeholder, mic, Lens, and AI Mode pill on the right.
What's happening
Google AI Mode embeds generative search in the familiar google.com composer. Users opt into AI Mode via a labeled pill, open capabilities through a + menu, and activate modes like Canvas and Create images as chips with contextual starter prompts.
Patterns
Attach, Create images, Canvas, and model tier behind progressive disclosure
Contextual starter prompts teach jobs without a product tour
Visual search wired into the same composer as text and voice
UX Insights
- •AI Mode is explicit opt-in on google.com, distinct from classic search and from the Gemini app
- •+ menu keeps the bar calm while bundling attach, generative tools, and Fast/Pro models
- •Canvas and Create images use chips plus job-specific placeholders and starters
- •Lens opens a modal but returns results into AI Overview with cited sources
- •Full-screen voice capture with live transcription signals listening before submit
Design Decisions
Google anchors AI in the search bar shape users already know, then layers generative modes as chips and starters rather than a separate chat product. Lens and voice are peers to typing in the composer row.
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