Google Tests Blue Send Button, Replacing AI Mode in Search
▼ Summary
– Google is testing a new blue “Send” button that appears in the search box as a user begins typing a query.
– During this test, the AI Mode, Lens, and Microphone buttons disappear from the search box and are replaced by the Send button.
– This is currently only a test, and the plus (+) button in the search interface remains unchanged.
– If launched, this change could make accessing Google’s AI Mode directly more difficult for searchers.
– The potential result is that fewer users might go to AI Mode, with more traffic being directed to standard Google Search.
Google is currently experimenting with a new blue “Send” button that appears within the search box as users start typing their queries. This subtle but significant change sees the familiar AI Mode button vanish once typing begins, replaced by the new blue prompt. The adjustment could subtly influence user behavior, potentially directing more searches toward traditional results instead of the AI-powered overviews.
In the observed test, the standard buttons for AI Mode, Google Lens, and the microphone icon all disappear from the right side of the search bar as soon as a user begins typing. They are replaced by the prominent blue Send button, which presumably submits the typed query. The plus sign button, used for other functions, remains visible and unchanged throughout this process.
The potential impact of this design test is noteworthy for marketers and SEO professionals. While only a test for now, a full launch could have meaningful implications for search traffic distribution. By making the AI Mode button disappear during the query entry process, Google may inadvertently create a small friction point for accessing its AI features. Users who start typing might be more inclined to simply hit the new Send button to proceed with a standard web search, rather than seeking out the AI option.
This could result in fewer users engaging with AI Overviews, at least for queries where they begin typing immediately. The change highlights Google’s ongoing balancing act between promoting its advanced AI capabilities and maintaining the core search experience that drives its advertising business. For brands, a shift away from AI-generated answers might mean a return to greater visibility within traditional organic search listings, though this remains speculative as the test is not yet widespread.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
