Google has just begun testing “Search Live” within its AI Mode for Search, a new feature that could dramatically alter how people search for information online. This real-time, voice-powered capability, first revealed at Google I/O 2025, is now rolling out to a select group of users in the United States through the Google app on both Android and iOS. For Google, this is a significant move, integrating conversational AI directly into its core search product.
The Dawn of Real-Time, Voice-Powered Search
For as long as we’ve been using search engines, it’s been mostly a text-based activity. You type in a query, scan through a list of links, and sift through content. “Search Live” changes all of that, offering a more natural, voice-driven experience where you speak your questions and get spoken answers from Google’s AI. This is more than just a new feature; it’s an evolution designed to make interacting with information feel less like a task and more like a conversation.
Picture this: you ask a complex question and get an immediate answer, spoken aloud, followed by the opportunity to dive deeper with follow-up questions—all in the same voice-based exchange. That’s the goal of “Search Live.” It’s capable of handling multi-part queries and pulling information from various web sources to generate responses.
How “Search Live” Works
For those lucky enough to be part of the test group, accessing “Search Live” seems pretty simple. You’ll notice a new waveform icon in the Google app, usually replacing the Google Lens shortcut, just below the search bar. When you tap on this icon, a full-screen interface appears, one that’s quite similar to Gemini Live, designed specifically for voice interaction.
Once activated, you can ask your question out loud. The AI will process your query and give you an answer you can hear. A standout feature of “Search Live” is its transparency. It not only provides a spoken answer but also cites the websites used to form that response, giving you the option to explore the original sources for more detailed information. And just like any good conversation, you can ask follow-up questions to refine your search, creating a back-and-forth that’s more natural than traditional search methods.
Beyond Simple Answers: Context and Nuance
One of the most exciting aspects of “Search Live” is its ability to understand context. If you’re asking about something specific, the AI remembers the conversation, making follow-up questions feel fluid and intuitive without needing to repeat yourself. This conversational memory could be a real game-changer compared to traditional search methods, where every new query feels like starting from scratch.
Users can also personalize their experience with four voice options—Cosmo, Neso, Terra, and Cassini. This adds an extra layer of customization to your interaction, making the AI feel even more like an assistant tailored to your preferences. Plus, “Search Live” doesn’t need to be front and center. It can work in the background, so you can continue exploring other parts of your device while the conversation continues.
The Power Behind the Voice: Project Astra and Gemini
“Search Live” is powered by some seriously advanced AI technology, including components from Project Astra. At Google I/O 2025, the company demonstrated how Astra could process both visual and auditory inputs in real time. While some of those multimodal capabilities, like using your phone’s camera for queries, aren’t yet available in this early rollout, their eventual integration promises to push the boundaries of interactive search.
The custom Gemini model, specifically Gemini 2.5, is at the heart of this new AI Mode and “Search Live.” This model brings advanced reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and the ability to dive deeper into information, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and receive more detailed responses. It’s a major upgrade to Google’s AI-powered search engine.
The Broader AI Mode and Future Horizons
“Search Live” is just one component of Google’s broader “AI Mode” in Search, which is being gradually rolled out in the US. AI Mode is designed to tackle more complex queries and provide users with more detailed, comprehensive answers. It also includes features like “Deep Search,” which can handle multiple searches and generate synthesized reports, as well as the agentic capabilities of Project Mariner, which can help with tasks like booking tickets.
By introducing “Search Live,” Google is moving closer to its vision of a conversational, more intuitive search experience. Rather than just providing a list of links, Google is aiming to be a more proactive assistant, reducing the effort it takes to get the information you need and offering direct, interactive answers.
What This Means for Users and the Web
For users, “Search Live” could mean a faster, more efficient way to get answers. Speaking your queries could be quicker than typing, especially when you’re on the go. The conversational aspect makes it easier to dig deeper without needing to start new searches, potentially leading to more comprehensive and satisfying answers.
For content creators and websites, the effects are still unfolding. While “Search Live” does provide citations to original sources, the AI’s ability to answer simple queries directly might result in fewer clicks to websites for basic information. However, for more detailed or complex topics, the ability to ask follow-up questions and have direct links to sources could drive traffic to high-quality, in-depth content. In the end, the focus will remain on producing trustworthy, accurate, and insightful content that the AI can draw from confidently.
A Glimpse into the Future of Search
Testing “Search Live” is just the beginning of what could be a massive shift in how we interact with information. As the feature expands and matures, it promises to redefine how millions of people find and understand information. In the near future, your search engine might just get a lot more personal—understanding you better, speaking with you more naturally, and guiding you to the answers you need faster and more effortlessly than ever before.
