Google has launched its AI-powered search tool, AI Mode, in the UK, the third country to receive the feature after the United States and India. The tool uses the company’s Gemini 2.5 model to generate conversational, article-style answers within search results.
Available via a new tab on desktop and integrated into the Google app on mobile, AI Mode accepts queries by text, voice and image. Users can pose detailed, open-ended questions, from practical searches like “pet-friendly carpet cleaners” to travel planning in cities such as London and Edinburgh.
Hema Budaraju, Vice President of Product Management for Search at Google, said AI Mode is enabling more complex information-seeking behaviour, with users typically asking questions two to three times longer than in standard searches. The rollout marks a deepening integration of AI into Google’s core product and reflects a wider industry shift driven by tools such as ChatGPT.
But publishers have raised serious concerns about the impact on web traffic. Research from Pew suggests click-through rates drop by about 50% when AI-generated summaries appear prominently, threatening the referral traffic many news organisations and content creators rely on.
The Daily Mail has reported a 50% drop in Google search traffic since AI features were introduced. The publisher also cited figures suggesting 60% of searches now end without the user clicking through to another website. This aligns with complaints filed in the EU, where publishers argue that Google’s AI Overviews use their content without permission and undermine the economics of journalism.
Google claims AI Mode drives “billions of clicks to websites” each day and opens up “new opportunities for content discovery.” But it has not released data to support those claims. Questions also remain over how advertising will work in AI Mode responses, with fears that fewer clicks to external sites could erode paid search revenue.
Critics say the shift could change user behaviour in ways that harm the open web. By providing complete answers directly in the search interface, AI-generated results reduce the incentive to explore different sources or engage with original reporting.
Google’s Gemini model now has 450 million monthly users, but still trails OpenAI’s ChatGPT in reach and engagement. Both firms are experimenting with subscription and transaction-based models to generate revenue from AI products.
AI Mode is not currently available in the European Union due to ongoing investigations by the European Commission.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 30 July 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 28 July 2025, when Google officially announced the rollout of AI Mode in the UK. ([blog.google](https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/united-kingdom/ai-mode-search-uk/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data on user click-through rates and publisher concerns, indicating a higher freshness score. However, the core information about AI Mode’s launch is not entirely new. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative does not appear to be recycled across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Google’s Vice President of Product Management for Search, Hema Budaraju, and marketing expert Lily Ray. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the BBC interview with Hema Budaraju on 28 July 2025. ([blog.google](https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/united-kingdom/ai-mode-search-uk/?utm_source=openai)) The quote from Lily Ray appears to be original to this report. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources, with no significant variations. No online matches were found for the Lily Ray quote, raising the score but flagging it as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Greenbot, a technology news website. While Greenbot is known for its coverage of AI and technology topics, it is not as widely recognized as major outlets like Reuters or the BBC. The report cites reputable sources, including the BBC and the Pew Research Center, enhancing its credibility. However, the reliance on a press release and the lack of direct quotes from primary sources may reduce the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about AI Mode’s launch in the UK and the associated concerns from publishers are plausible and align with information from other reputable sources. The report includes specific data points, such as the 50% decline in click-through rates and the 60% of Google searches ending without users visiting websites, which are consistent with findings from the Pew Research Center. ([engadget.com](https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-searchs-ai-mode-is-rolling-out-in-the-uk-110011893.html?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with typical reporting on technology and AI developments. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and plausible account of Google’s AI Mode launch in the UK, supported by credible sources and consistent with other reputable reports. While originating from a less widely recognized outlet, the content is well-sourced and aligns with known facts, justifying a high confidence in its accuracy.
