Chrome AI Mode (2025): What It Is, How It Works, and How to Use

Published: September 21, 2025 • Last updated: September 21, 2025

Chrome AI Mode hero image showing Chrome browser with AI features highlighted — Chrome AI Mode is rolling out with new AI-powered browsing and search features.

What is Chrome AI Mode?

Chrome AI Mode is Google’s new set of built-in, Gemini-powered features that bring conversational help, page-aware answers, and smarter search directly into the Chrome browser. Instead of opening a separate chatbot, you can use the address bar and side panel to ask complex questions, summarize webpages, and get task-specific assistance without leaving your current tab.

According to Search Engine Land, AI Mode integrates with the Chrome address bar for longer, natural-language queries and lets you ask questions about the page you’re viewing. It’s designed as an optional, on-demand assistant that complements traditional search—especially for multi-step tasks, quick summaries, and research.

Chrome address bar (omnibox) with AI Mode long-form query example — Ask natural-language questions in the Chrome address bar with AI Mode.

Key features at a glance

Address bar AI: Type long, natural questions and get direct suggestions or an AI handoff without opening a new tab.
Ask about this page: Use the side panel to get summaries, definitions, and page-specific answers.
Contextual assistance: AI Mode considers the page content and your prompt to provide relevant insights.
Task help: Draft emails, outlines, or checklists tied to what you’re reading.
Privacy controls: Clear prompts/history, opt-in data sharing, and profile-based settings.
Seamless handoff to Gemini: Open expanded, multi-turn chats when you need deeper help.

Chrome AI Mode side panel showing 'Ask about this page' with summary and key points — Open the Chrome side panel to ask questions about the page you’re on.

How to enable Chrome AI Mode

AI Mode is rolling out in phases. If you don’t see it yet, update Chrome to the latest version and check again over the next few weeks. Here’s how to enable and use it when it appears.

On desktop (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux)

Update Chrome: Click the three-dots menu > Help > About Google Chrome. Update and relaunch.
Open Settings: Three-dots menu > Settings > Search and AI or a similarly named section.
Turn on AI Mode: Toggle “AI Mode,” “Ask about this page,” and “AI in address bar” if separate options appear.
Sign in: Ensure you’re signed into Chrome if the feature requires a Google Account.
Try it: Type a long question in the address bar (e.g., “Compare OLED vs Mini-LED for gaming in bright rooms”) and press Enter. Or open the side panel and click “Ask about this page.”

On Android

Update Chrome: From Google Play, update to the latest build.
Turn on AI Mode: Tap the three-dots menu > Settings > Search and AI > enable AI Mode.
Use the address bar: Start a long-form query; look for AI suggestions or the “Ask” button.
Use the page menu: Tap menu > “Ask about this page” for contextual help.

Tip: If you’re an early adopter, you may see experimental flags while Google completes the rollout. Only enable flags you understand, and disable them if you notice instability.

Chrome Settings screen highlighting the Search and AI section with AI Mode toggle — Look for AI Mode toggles in Chrome > Settings > Search and AI.

How it works under the hood

Chrome AI Mode uses Gemini models to interpret your prompt and the current page context. When you ask a question in the address bar, Chrome routes eligible queries to AI Mode for suggestions or a side-panel response. For page-aware queries, Chrome safely extracts relevant text (e.g., headers, main content) and sends it to the model to generate a summary or answer, which you can expand in Gemini for a longer conversation.

Importantly, AI Mode is designed to be assistive, not a replacement for traditional search. For navigational or straightforward lookups, Chrome continues to route to your default search engine. For multi-step or ambiguous questions, AI Mode can save time by synthesizing what’s on the page and offering structured next steps.

Chrome AI Mode summarizing a long article with bullet points and sources — Use AI Mode to summarize long articles and pull out key points fast.

Real-world use cases

Research faster: Skim dense PDFs and long-form articles with one-click summaries and follow-up questions.
Compare products: Ask “What’s the difference between these laptops?” while viewing spec pages.
Learn terminology: Highlight unfamiliar terms and ask for definitions without leaving the page.
Draft content: Turn a page’s bullet points into an email, outline, or checklist.
Education: Get step-by-step explanations for concepts in textbooks and course materials.
Travel planning: Summarize attractions pages and ask for 3-day itineraries based on what you’re viewing.

Collage of Chrome AI Mode use cases: research, product comparison, drafting, and summaries — From research to drafting, AI Mode reduces tab-hopping and speeds up tasks.

Privacy and data control

AI Mode is opt-in and includes granular controls. Before you turn it on, review these settings and practices:

Clear history: Regularly clear prompts and AI interactions from Chrome settings.
Sensitive pages: Avoid sending confidential data to AI. Use Guest Mode or Incognito for private browsing, and consider disabling AI Mode on sensitive workflows.
Profile-based controls: Keep work and personal profiles separate with different AI settings.
Control site access: Disable AI suggestions on specific sites if you prefer traditional browsing.
Review account settings: Check your Google Account data controls and privacy dashboard.

Learn more at the official help pages: Chrome Help and Google’s product blog, The Keyword.

Chrome AI Mode privacy controls and data settings screen — Manage AI Mode permissions, history, and site-level controls.

Availability and rollout

Google is deploying Chrome AI Mode gradually. Some users will see it sooner on desktop and Android; iOS typically follows after additional testing. If you don’t see the toggles yet, keep Chrome updated and check weekly. Enterprise admins may need to enable AI Mode via policy before it appears for managed users.

To track updates, monitor the Chrome Releases blog and the Search Engine Land coverage.

Chrome AI Mode vs Edge Copilot vs Arc Max

How does Chrome’s approach stack up against competitors?

Feature	Chrome AI Mode	Microsoft Edge Copilot	Arc Max
Address bar AI	Yes, natural-language in omnibox	Limited; strong sidebar integration	Focus on commands and quick actions
Page-aware Q&A	Yes, via side panel	Yes, Copilot sidebar	Yes, with Boosts/Max features
Model	Google Gemini	OpenAI + Microsoft models	Various (service-dependent)
Account requirement	Google Account for full features	Microsoft Account	Arc account
Admin controls	Chrome Enterprise policies	Intune/Group Policy	Limited enterprise footprint

Comparison chart: Chrome AI Mode vs Edge Copilot vs Arc Max — Chrome AI Mode competes with Edge Copilot and Arc Max on page-aware help and workflow speed.

Pros and cons

Pros

Fast, page-aware help without leaving your tab.
Reduces copy/paste and tab overload for research.
Granular privacy controls and profile-based settings.
Tight integration with Gemini for extended tasks.

Cons

Gradual rollout means inconsistent access at first.
Quality varies by page structure and model updates.
Risk of over-reliance; always verify important facts.
Enterprises may need policy changes to enable features.

Pricing

Chrome AI Mode is included in Chrome at no additional cost during rollout. Some advanced capabilities may require a signed-in Google Account. Enterprise features depend on admin policies but do not typically add per-user fees from Google for basic AI Mode access.

Troubleshooting and pro tips

Don’t see it? Update Chrome, restart, and check Settings > Search and AI. Rollout can take weeks.
Page isn’t recognized: Try reloading, disabling reader modes, or clicking “Ask about this page” from the side panel explicitly.
Privacy-sensitive tasks: Use Guest/Incognito and keep AI Mode off for those sessions.
Citations: Ask follow-up prompts like “Show sources” or “Link to references” to nudge better attribution.
Enterprise: Confirm with IT that AI features are allowed; policies may block them by default.

Chrome error notification with tips to resolve AI Mode availability — If AI Mode doesn’t appear, update Chrome and check admin or profile settings.

Impact on SEO, publishers, and productivity

For users, AI Mode cuts task friction—summaries, definitions, and outlines appear where work happens. For publishers and SEO, it increases the importance of structured, high-quality content. Clear headings, strong introductions, skimmable summaries, and schema markup help AI features extract and attribute your key points correctly. Expect more emphasis on on-page experience, original insights, and trustworthy signals to stand out in AI-mediated browsing.

If you’re responsible for site performance, review your pages against AI-readability criteria and test how Chrome AI Mode interprets your content. It’s also smart to publish concise executive summaries so AI can surface accurate highlights.

Related coverage and guides on our site: Gemini productivity tips, Google I/O 2025 highlights, and Enable AI features in Chrome.

Final verdict

Chrome AI Mode is a sensible, user-first step toward AI-native browsing. It respects how people already use Chrome—search, read, decide—and adds context-aware assistance that speeds up research and writing. The rollout will be staggered and quality will evolve, but if you value fewer tabs and faster synthesis, AI Mode will likely become a daily habit.

Keep Chrome updated, start with summaries and definitions, and layer in drafting and multi-step tasks. Always verify facts, especially for high-stakes work. As the feature matures, expect richer citations, better long-document handling, and tighter integrations with Google Workspace.

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FAQs

Is Chrome AI Mode free?

Yes. It’s included in Chrome at no extra cost during rollout. Some features may require a Google Account sign-in.

How do I turn on AI Mode?

Update Chrome, then go to Settings > Search and AI and enable AI Mode and related toggles like “Ask about this page.” If you don’t see it, wait for rollout or check with your admin.

Does AI Mode replace my default search engine?

No. Chrome still uses your default search engine for most queries. AI Mode appears for longer, multi-step questions or page-aware tasks.

Can I use AI Mode on work devices?

Maybe. Managed devices follow admin policies. Ask IT to enable AI features if they’re blocked.

What data does AI Mode use?

For page-aware help, Chrome processes visible content to answer your question. You can clear interactions and control permissions in Settings.

Will it work on iPhone?

AI features typically arrive on iOS after desktop and Android. Keep Chrome updated and watch for the toggle in Settings when it becomes available.

How is this different from Gemini or ChatGPT?

AI Mode lives inside Chrome, aware of the page you’re viewing. It’s optimized for browsing tasks and quick synthesis, with optional handoff to full Gemini chats.

Where can I learn more?

Check the Chrome product blog, the Chrome Releases blog, and coverage from Search Engine Land.

Sources: Search Engine Land, Google Chrome – The Keyword, Chrome Help