If you’ve never heard of Google AI Mode, don’t worry. Barely anyone in the UK is aware of this new search experience.

But now you know, listen up. Get a wine glass and drink this all in.

Because the knowledge I’m going to share with you is going to change how you view SEO fundamentally.

What is Google AI Mode?

It’s a full-blown chat interface that replaces traditional blue links.

You can now start conversations with Google, and it will give you direct answers without you needing to click on a website.

That’s right. Google is becoming an AI Assistant. It’s happening end of 2025(!)

This isn’t a gimmick. Google’s AI Mode will eventually replace traditional search.

No more blue links. No more surfing through website after website. No more first page of Google.

And if you’re not optimising for it, you risk being invisible to the next generation of searchers.

How does AI Mode work?

AI mode is Google’s new conversational search experience powered by Gemini.

Instead of a page of links, you get:

• An interactive chat you can continuously ask questions to
• Summaries and structured overviews from multiple sources
• Recommendations for local business and services tailored to your needs

Basically, Google will soon be your virtual assistant. One that can ask you clarifying questions, drill into details, and may one day even perform actions like payments.

Kudos to Wards Windows for landing first for this query.

US Rollout = already here

Google began rolling out AI mode to all US users in May 2025 – and to great success!

If you use a VPN, you can try it yourself via Google Search Labs or the “AI Mode” switch in the Google app and website.

Users in India (English only) also have access, and some non-US users can join via Search Labs opt-in.

UK Launch = End of 2025

While we don’t have an exact date just yet, all indicators point to a Q4 2025 rollout.

When it does, it’s unlikely that blue-link traditional search will disappear straight away.

But when it does, the day will be the beginning of the end for traditional SEO.

Bottom line: it’s coming fast, and you don’t want to be caught flat-footed.

Why local brands need to act NOW to get ahead

AI mode will pull answers from the same signals we’ve been focusing on, but with less tolerance for missing or messy data, and greater emphasis on specificity:

• FAQs and Q&As on your website
• Schema markup for LocalBusiness, Reviews, FAQ content and pages
• Accurate NAP (name, address, phone) on your site and elsewhere
• Structured content that answers customer questions really well

If the information on your website isn’t crystal-clear, AI mode will simply skip over you and recommend someone else.

More specifically, you now need to make sure that basics like your services, prices, availability, niches, primary offer, and everything between is clearly shared.

How to prepare for the UK launch of Google AI Mode

1. Answer exact customer questions

• “Do you offer weekend emergency plumbing in Leeds?”
• “Can you handle cartilage piercings in Manchester?”
• “Can you take cake orders over the internet instead of the phone?”

2. Add and validate schema markup

• FAQ Schemas
• LocalBusiness Schemas
• Reviews Schemas

3. Audit your NAP consistency

• Make sure your address and phone details on your website are correct
• If you closed a social media account or website, do not list it anywhere
• Setup and optimise your Google Business, Bing Places, and other directories such as Trustpilot
• Make sure websites and blogs ran by other external businesses do not share the wrong details about you

4. Test ai mode yourself once available

• Opt-in to Search Labs if you need to
• Ask local questions your website should appear for, and see who AI Mode picks for its answers

Spend an afternoon on these tasks and develop a plan of action for resolving the issues you need to fix.

If you can get a VPN so that you can test AI mode now, go for it.

You’ll thank yourself when AI Mode enters the UK market and your brand appears in your ideal consumer searches.

Local SEO isn’t dead – it’s evolving at lightning pace

Google AI mode is the next giant leap in search. Your customers will soon expect chat-first answers, not pages of links.

If you start optimising today, you’ll be ahead of potential all your competitors when AI mode lands in the UK.

When AI talks to your customers, it should be saying your name – not theirs.

And the work you do right now is key.

Want to learn more?

We’ve got plenty of educational articles, blogs and posts just like this one covering everything AI SEO and search discovery.

All for free, of course! And if you want to work with us to get your brand on top of ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and anywhere else, just book a call with us 👇

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