Google adds side-by-side browsing to AI Mode

Google announced on Thursday that it is rolling out a new way to explore the web with AI Mode, its conversational search experience, on Chrome desktop. The update allows users to open web pages side-by-side with the search experience, making it easier to explore relevant websites, compare details, and ask follow-up questions while preserving the context of a search.

Under the new system, when a user clicks a link while using AI Mode on Chrome desktop, the web page opens directly alongside the conversational search interface. For instance, a user looking to purchase a coffee maker can describe what they are looking for in AI Mode to get a range of options. Once they click on one, they can open the retailer’s website side-by-side with AI Mode and ask specific questions, such as how easy the item is to clean. The AI Mode system then uses context from both the page and across the web to provide answers.

Google also introduced a feature that allows users to search across multiple open Chrome tabs by adding them to their AI Mode search context. On Chrome desktop or mobile, users can tap a new “plus” menu in the search box on the New Tab page or in AI Mode, then select recent tabs to include in their search. This allows users to combine context from multiple tabs, images, or files. For example, a user researching local hiking trails can add open tabs to their search to ask for similar trails in a different location, or a student can bring in context from open tabs, class notes, and lecture slides to ask for examples of a concept.

The company noted that early feedback on the side-by-side integration was positive. According to Google, “Our early testers loved that they didn’t have to constantly switch tabs to get help with a comprehensive article or a long video.”

These new AI Mode updates are currently available only in the U.S. Google plans to expand these features to additional regions in the future.

Why it matters

The update aims to streamline complex research tasks by allowing users to compare information across multiple websites and open tabs without losing their search context.