Google Search Live is a new feature within Google’s AI Mode that allows users to have real-time, back-and-forth conversations with Search, powered by Google’s Gemini AI model.

Search Live has officially launched in English in the U.S. today — no Labs opt-in required. When you go Live with Search, you can have an interactive voice conversation in AI Mode and share your phone’s camera feed. This means Search can see what your camera sees, respond to your questions in real time and connect you with helpful web links to dive even deeper.

What IT DO

The feature provides AI-generated audio responses, links to relevant web content, and is available for U.S. users who have opted into the AI Mode experiment. Future updates will include the ability to use your camera to show Search what you’re seeing in real-time, making it even more conversational and multimodal. 

How IT Do IT

Google has used “live” to refer to two different, distinct features: the modern conversational Search Live, which uses generative AI, and the now-defunct Google Instant, which was a real-time predictive search function. 

1. Start a conversation: Tap the “Live” icon under the search bar in AI Mode within the Google app (Android or iOS) to start a voice conversation.
2. Multimodal input: Speak queries and use the phone’s camera to show Search what is being seen.
3. Real-time AI response: Search Live provides audio answers and context in real-time, enabling a natural dialogue.
4. Web links for exploration: Search Live also displays relevant web links to explore a topic further.
5. Contextual follow-ups: The system maintains the conversation’s context, allowing follow-up questions for a fluid experience. 

Other ways to utilize this app include Google Lens. Simply select the new Live option at the bottom of the screen. Camera sharing will be enabled by default, so you can have an instant back-and-forth conversation about whatever you see in front of you.

Ready to try it out? The following offers wats you can use this new capability in Search for fast, real-time help, at home or away:

1) Explore while you travel

Imagine you’re on vacation and getting ready at the hotel before a day of exploration. You can go Live with Search to have a hands-free conversation about the neighborhoods you want to visit, all while you finish getting ready for your outing. And once you’re out and about, using your camera, you can ask Live about anything you see.

2) Learn about Do-It-Yourself projects

When you need help picking up a new skill — consider Search Live your very own expert advisor. Point your camera at the equipment in your project and ask what each tool is used for. Or get quick advice on which ingredients you can substitute if you’re looking for low-sugar or dairy-free alternatives for a matcha latte.

3) Get troubleshooting help

If you’re having trouble setting up electronics, you can get help each step of the way with Live in Search. Just point your camera and ask which cable goes where. You don’t need to manually type in the make and model of your TV or look up different kinds of cables. Instead, Search will understand all the visual context and get you the information you’re looking for, with the option to ask follow-ups or check out relevant sites on the web.

4) Get help with you or your child’s homework

Want to help your child with their homework? When you set up an at-home project, like a biology experiment, you can use Search as an AI-powered learning partner. It’ll see the chemical reactions as they occur, and you can ask Search to explain the underlying science — or give you links to explore some more fun experiments.

5) Make social activities easier to manage

If you have company and you want to play a game with your family or friends. Instead of pulling out boxes of games and reading about each, simply ask about all of the games at once and get advice on which is best for your group.