Google AI Mode adds split-screen web browsing in Chrome desktop

Google announced that AI Mode, its conversational search experience, now opens linked webpages side-by-side with search results on Chrome desktop. Users can browse websites while maintaining their AI Mode conversation context.

Split-screen browsing

When users click a link in AI Mode on Chrome desktop, the webpage opens in a split view next to the AI conversation. This allows users to ask follow-up questions about the content without switching tabs.

For example, after AI Mode suggests coffee makers, clicking a product link opens the retailer's website alongside the AI interface. Users can then ask "how easy is this to clean?" and AI Mode will answer using context from both the page and broader web data.

According to Google, early testers "loved that they didn't have to constantly switch tabs to get help with a comprehensive article or a long video."

Multi-tab context search

Google also added the ability to search across multiple open Chrome tabs. On desktop or mobile, users can tap a new "plus" menu in the search box on the New Tab page or within AI Mode, then select recent tabs to include in their search.

Users can combine multiple tabs, images, or files to provide context for AI Mode queries. Examples include adding tabs about local hiking trails to search for similar trails in different locations, or combining open tabs with class notes and lecture slides to generate examples for exam preparation.

Availability

Both features are available now in the United States in English on Chrome desktop and mobile. Google plans to expand to additional regions but has not specified a timeline.

What this means

Google is positioning AI Mode as a productivity tool that keeps users within its ecosystem rather than requiring them to manage multiple browser windows. The split-screen approach directly competes with standalone AI chatbots by integrating conversational AI into the browsing workflow. The multi-tab context feature addresses a key limitation of current AI search tools: the inability to reference information across multiple sources that users have already vetted. This could increase AI Mode adoption among users who need to synthesize information from multiple webpages.