Does Google AI Mode represent the Future of Search and another shift in Discoverability? Daily Dose of Digital - 06/03/25

I'm sure you've heard by now that Google’s AI Mode has officially been made accessible (to a small audience at this stage), signalling yet another major evolution in how people discover information. While still limited to 'Search Labs' users at the moment, this AI-powered search experience is poised to redefine Discoverability - a theme I have been exploring in-depth in The Daily Dose of Digital and on Remarkable’s insights platform for the past few months now.

This shift is about much more than just AI-enhanced search results. We’re moving from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), where search engines no longer just point users to sources but generate comprehensive answers on their own.

Today's Daily Dose dives into what AI Mode means for search, content strategies, and digital discoverability.

AI Mode: Google’s Answer to the AI Search Disruption

For years, Google has dominated search, but recent AI-first platforms like Perplexity AI have challenged its role as the default gateway to the internet. AI-driven search models are changing user expectations, and Google’s AI Mode is its boldest response yet.

Unlike AI Overviews, which provide quick AI-generated summaries on top of traditional search results, AI Mode goes deeper. It creates an immersive AI-driven search experience designed for comparisons, reasoning, and multimodal exploration (text, voice, and images).

Google describes AI Mode as a way to "explore a topic more deeply", leveraging a "query fan-out" technique that fetches multiple related searches in parallel before generating a cohesive, AI-powered response.

It’s a seismic shift, and one that further cements Google’s evolution from a search engine into an answer engine.

Discoverability in the Age of AI-Generated Search

With AI Mode, traditional SEO tactics won’t be enough. This aligns with what I discussed in Discoverability 2025: AI’s Growing Role in Search & What It Means for You, the idea that search is no longer about ranking but about being retrievable by AI.

As I previously wrote:

“Discoverability in 2025 isn’t just about SEO, it’s about ensuring your content is legible to AI models that filter and synthesise information for users. The real challenge is optimising for an ecosystem where fewer direct clicks occur, but the AI still sees your content as a trusted source.”

This transition requires a new playbook that includes:

• GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) - Structuring content so AI models understand and surface it in AI-driven search experiences.
• Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) - Focusing on directly answering queries in a way AI can synthesise effectively.
• Multimodal Search Optimisation - Optimising for voice, image, and video-based queries that AI engines process.

The "Zero-Click Search" Reality: Will AI Mode Kill Website Traffic?

One of the biggest concerns with AI-driven search is the zero-click effect, where Google delivers an answer without users ever needing to visit a website.

I covered this in detail in Zero-Click Search Evolution: Could This Be One of the Biggest Threats to Content Creators?, where I noted:

“AI-driven search means fewer people clicking through to websites. This is a fundamental shift: rather than driving traffic, search engines are increasingly acting as content distributors.”

With AI Mode, this trend accelerates:

• Users interact with AI-generated responses instead of organic search results.
• Google synthesises multiple sources without sending direct clicks.
• Traffic to traditional publishers could plummet.

The question becomes: How do we remain discoverable when AI controls access to information?

Search Console & AI Mode: The Data Gap Problem

A major frustration with AI Mode is the lack of data transparency. Right now, Google Search Console doesn’t track how AI Overviews or AI Mode affect impressions and clicks.

I recently asked Google about this, but, as expected, I received a PR-approved non-answer:

"We currently don’t have anything to share about reporting tools for this experiment, but will let you know if that changes."

This is a critical issue because if we can’t measure AI-driven impressions, we can’t optimise for them. Until Google provides real performance tracking, we’ll be flying blind.

AI-Powered Discoverability: What Marketers Need to Do Now

The rise of AI Mode and Gemini 2.0 means every business and content creator needs to rethink their discoverability strategy. This aligns closely with the frameworks I discussed in:

• Scaling Digital Content in 2025
• Search in 2025: The Age of Connected Discoverability

Key Takeaways for Marketers & Content Creators

• AI-Focused Content Structuring - Use clear, structured data, rich snippets, and Q&A formats that AI models can process effectively.
• Multimodal Optimisation - Optimise content for text, voice, and images, ensuring AI search engines can retrieve and understand it
• Deep Authority Building - Google’s AI prioritises content from trusted sources, so focus on expertise, high-quality citations, and AI-trust signals.
• Testing New Discoverability Strategies - Experiment with GEO, AEO, and interactive AI content formats to future-proof your digital presence.

The Future of Search is AI-Driven (I think I've mentioned this a few times now, lol).

Google’s AI Mode is the latest (and perhaps most disruptive) step in the evolution of search. We’re leaving behind the era of traditional SEO and moving toward a world where AI dictates what gets seen, shared, and clicked.

Discoverability is no longer about ranking #1, it’s about becoming an integral part of AI’s knowledge base.

For those who adapt, the opportunity is massive. But for those clinging to old-school SEO tactics, the AI search revolution could be a wake-up call.

How do you see AI Mode impacting search and discoverability? Are we witnessing the end of traditional SEO? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Want more insights on AI and digital discoverability? Subscribe to The Daily Dose of Digital and check out Remarkable ’s insights for deeper explorations into the future of search.