Google Expands AI Mode Globally: Smarter Restaurant Booking Now Available Worldwide
Google has announced a significant upgrade to its AI Mode in Search, expanding its reach to 180 countries and introducing advanced features like restaurant booking.
Previously limited to the US, UK, and India, this global rollout makes AI Mode’s chatbot-like interface accessible to a broader audience, though currently only in English.
This expansion reflects Google’s ambition to transform Search into a more interactive, task-oriented tool, moving beyond traditional information retrieval to actionable assistance.
The standout feature is AI Mode’s new “agentic” capability, enabling Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US to book restaurant reservations directly through Search.
Users can specify details like party size, date, time, location, and cuisine preferences, and AI Mode will search platforms like OpenTable, Resy, and Tock to provide a curated list of available restaurants with direct booking links.
This streamlines a typically cumbersome process, saving users time and effort. Google plans to extend these capabilities to event ticketing and local service appointments, partnering with platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub, signaling a broader vision for AI-driven task completion.
Additionally, AI Mode now offers personalized dining recommendations for US users enrolled in the Labs experiment.
By analyzing past searches, Google Maps activity, and conversations, it tailors suggestions to preferences like Italian cuisine or vegan options.
A new “Share” button allows users to share AI-generated results, facilitating collaborative planning for events or group outings. Users retain control over personalization settings and shared links, ensuring privacy.
This update could significantly impact users by simplifying daily tasks and enhancing search relevance. For businesses, particularly in hospitality, integration with AI Mode offers increased visibility and streamlined customer interactions, potentially boosting bookings.
However, the restaurant booking feature is currently exclusive to Google AI Ultra subscribers ($249.99/month), limiting immediate access.
As Google expands language support and agentic features, AI Mode could redefine how users interact with Search, making it a powerful digital assistant.
FAQ
What is Google AI Mode in Search?
Google AI Mode is an AI-powered feature in Search that uses a chatbot-like interface to answer complex questions and perform tasks like booking restaurant reservations.
How can I access Google AI Mode’s restaurant booking feature?
Currently, it’s available to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US through the “Agentic capabilities in AI Mode” experiment in Google Labs.
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