Google AI Overviews follow up questions jump you directly to AI Mode

The most disruptive change is the new “follow-up” behavior. Previously, asking a second question in Search would simply reload a new set of search results. Now, on mobile devices, asking a follow-up question within an AI Overview triggers a transition directly into AI Mode.

Seamless Transition to AI Mode

When a user clicks “Show more” or types a follow-up question, an AI Mode overlay covers the traditional search results.

• Conversational Context: The AI retains the context of your initial search, so you don’t have to repeat yourself.
• Loss of Sources: Early reports and testing show that once you jump into this conversational overlay, the prominent citation cards seen in AI Overviews often disappear or are minimized, making it significantly harder for users to click through to the original content creator.
• Exit Strategy: Users must click an “X” at the top right to return to the traditional blue links—a friction point that many fear will trap users within Google’s ecosystem.

Gemini 3: The New Global Standard

Google has confirmed that Gemini 3 is now the default engine powering AI Overviews worldwide.

• Better Reasoning: Gemini 3 brings advanced multi-step reasoning to everyday searches, allowing it to handle “query fan-out” (breaking one complex question into multiple sub-searches simultaneously).
• AI Pro & Ultra Perks: While Gemini 3 is the default for all users, users with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions will see even deeper integrations, including “Personal Intelligence” that can reference their Gmail and Photos to provide hyper-personalized answers.

The Impact on Website Traffic and SEO

The data for 2026 is becoming clear: traditional search is shrinking.

• Zero-Click Acceleration: Recent studies show that when an AI summary appears, only about 8% of users click a traditional link.
• Cannibalization: By moving follow-up questions into AI Mode, Google is satisfying user intent without ever sending the user to a publisher’s site.
• Reputation Over Rankings: Visibility in 2026 is less about being #1 in blue links and more about being a cited source within the AI’s reasoning.

What Publishers Should Monitor

As this rolls out globally, site owners should keep a close eye on their Google Search Console data.

• AI Overview vs. AI Mode: Track whether your “Brand Mentions” are staying steady even if “Clicks” are dropping.
• Mobile vs. Desktop: Since the AI Mode jump is currently mobile-only, compare your traffic sources to see if mobile organic search is taking a larger hit.