Google's AI Search Evolution: A Double-Edged Sword

At Google's recent I/O 2026 conference, Liz Reid, VP of Search, highlighted AI Mode's staggering growth. With over a billion monthly users and query rates doubling every quarter, AI Mode is undeniably popular. But is it actually improving the search experience?

AI Mode: A Boon or Bane for Search Quality?

Reid claims AI Mode allows users to ask more nuanced questions, improving search capabilities. However, the reality is more complicated. Critics argue Google Search quality has declined, becoming a tool to keep users on Google domains and pushing monetized links over genuine results.

Users and researchers note a decline driven by aggressive monetization, AI disruptions, and an endless race against spammers. Google's response to the query, 'Why does Google Search suck now?' is telling, acknowledging these issues but subtly disclaiming responsibility by urging users to double-check AI-generated answers.

The Economics of AI in Search

AI integration in search isn't just a technical shift. It's fundamentally altering the economics of web traffic. Reports from SEO firms like Ahrefs indicate a 58% decrease in clickthrough rates for top-ranking pages due to AI summaries, significantly affecting site traffic and revenues. Cloud pricing tells you more than the product announcement. With AI redirecting user pathways, the economics break down at scale.

Google’s AI Mode and AI Overviews are designed to enhance information retrieval with multimodal capabilities and reasoning. Yet, they often obscure source visibility, challenging the traditional search model that invites users to choose trustworthy sites.

Is AI the Right Answer?

Google’s integration of AI promises a easy search experience but at the cost of transparency and user autonomy. How should users trust AI suggestions when Google itself advises double-checking them? The real bottleneck isn't the model. It's the infrastructure and the AI's role in shaping user trust and engagement.

As AI continues to evolve in search, the question isn't just about technology but about user agency. Shouldn't users have the autonomy to determine their trusted sources, rather than relying on AI's filtered results?

In the end, while AI can enhance capabilities, its unchecked influence might undermine the very essence of search, user-driven discovery and decision-making. Google’s AI may simplify searching, but it risks turning a tool for exploring the web into a gatekeeper of information.