Google experimented with a drastic change to search via Chrome. It would bet directly on AI summaries.

Google has been pushing artificial intelligence into its search engine for some time now, gradually making it the primary way people search the web. One of the tests in an experimental version of the Chrome browser, however, hinted at how far this could go. A query typed into the address bar would open AI Mode directly instead of classic results. But as soon as the feature started being reported, Google backed down.

Search Was Supposed to Disappear in Favor of AI Mode

The feature was first described by Windows Report. In the experimental branch of Chrome Canary, a hidden switch called „Fulfill Searchbox Queries in AI Mode” appeared. Its purpose was to redirect queries from the address bar and the search field on a new tab directly to AI Mode. Instead of a list of links, the user would thus open a conversation with artificial intelligence.

While in regular Chrome you have to invoke AI Mode with a button, with the switch enabled, it would launch automatically for every query. The feature was supposed to work on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS, but not on the mobile version of the browser. The Windows Report editor also noted that the implementation seemed finished, not like a hastily put-together prototype. Android Police, on the other hand, reports that the switch didn’t start working for them even after being enabled, so the test apparently wasn’t running the same for everyone.

Google: It Was a Mistake

Shortly after the wave of reports, Google itself spoke up. Rajan Patel, VP of Search Engineering, wrote on X that it was a mistake and the company does not plan to make AI Mode the default search method in Chrome. This is also consistent with a note directly in the code, according to which it is only an experiment with no current deployment plans.

Hey Glenn– this was an error. We're not planning to make AI Mode the default for Chrome searches.

— Rajan Patel (@rajanpatel) June 5, 2026

However, a bit of skepticism is in order. Google used the exact same “mere experiment” phrasing to accompany AI Overviews and AI Mode itself before both became default features for hundreds of millions of people. Moreover, the direction is clear: at the May I/O 2026 conference, Google announced the biggest overhaul of the search bar in 25 years, and AI Mode has already surpassed a billion monthly users, according to the company.

For the average user, a full deployment would mean a significant disruption to habits. The classic blue links from Google Search remain in place for now and are not disappearing after this statement. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that Google is looking in this direction, so the switch is worth watching despite the official denial. You can try it out in Chrome Canary via the chrome://flags page.

Would you search via AI Mode, or do you prefer classic blue links?

Sources: Windows Report, Android Police, Rajan Patel/X