Google is making a significant push to increase adoption of its AI Mode search feature, testing new prominent buttons directly in the search interface that could fundamentally change how users interact with the world’s most popular search engine.

In recent days, Google has begun testing multiple approaches to integrate AI Mode more deeply into the search experience, according to screenshots shared by SEO experts on social media. The most notable change involves placing a dedicated AI Mode button in the main search bar on Google’s homepage, giving the feature unprecedented visibility.

“AI Mode is expanding. I’m seeing AI Mode in the main search bar now,” posted Glenn Gabe, an SEO consultant, on May 11. “The AI Mode button is getting prime real estate there.”

Perhaps even more striking is another test spotted by search analyst Kenichi Suzuki, where Google has replaced its iconic “I’m Feeling Lucky” button—a feature that has been part of Google’s interface since its earliest days—with an AI Mode button. This represents a significant shift in Google’s approach, potentially retiring a nostalgic element of its interface in favor of its AI-powered future.

When clicked, these new buttons immediately transport users into Google’s AI Mode interface, which leverages the company’s Gemini 2.0 model to provide conversational responses to queries rather than traditional search results.

The testing appears to be part of a broader strategy to introduce more users to AI Mode, which Google officially launched in March 2025. According to Google’s blog, AI Mode “helps you search more effortlessly by combining the advanced capabilities of Gemini 2.0 with Google’s best-in-class information systems.”

Previously, Google had been promoting AI Mode through banners in search results, but these new buttons represent a more aggressive push to integrate the feature directly into the core search experience. The Search Engine Roundtable notes that Google is testing variations of the button’s appearance, including a gray button that adds color when users hover over it.

This move comes as Google continues to expand AI Mode’s availability. In a May 2025 update on its official blog, Google announced that AI Mode is now available to all Labs users in the United States, along with new ways to “access and interact with information” through the feature.

The testing of these prominent AI Mode buttons signals Google’s commitment to artificial intelligence as the future of search, potentially shifting user behavior away from the traditional list of links to a more conversational, AI-driven experience. For publishers and websites that rely on Google traffic, this evolution could have far-reaching implications for how content is discovered and consumed online.

While these changes are currently in the testing phase and visible only to some users, they provide a clear indication of Google’s strategic direction. The company appears to be preparing for a future where AI-powered search becomes the default way users seek information, rather than an optional feature that requires special activation.

As this testing continues, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether these AI Mode buttons become permanent fixtures of Google’s interface and how users respond to this potentially fundamental shift in the search experience.