Google’s AI Mode and the Future of SEO

If you’ve been following our recent blogs on Google Search’s AI overviews and the AI chatbots effect on how users search the web, this will feel like the next logical step. 

Back in June, Google introduced a major update: AI Mode, a new feature that’s already reshaping how we use the Search Console, one of the most important tools for SEO analysts, SEO experts, and Google Ads managers alike.

Keep reading to learn how this change affects how users search the web, and more importantly, what it means for your business’s digital presence in Toronto, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill.

What Is Google’s AI Mode?

Imagine a fusion between classic Google Search and a conversational AI chatbot, something between Google’s AI Overviews and Gemini. That’s AI Mode.

This feature is designed to help users find information faster by summarizing results and combining multiple queries into one coherent, chat-like response. It’s essentially Google’s way of turning traditional search into a more interactive experience, one that mimics the conversational style we’ve come to expect from AI tools.

Is It Good or Bad for the Internet?

That depends on who you ask. For everyday users who just want a clear, instant answer, AI Mode feels like magic. It’s the big sibling of AI Overviews, smarter, faster, and more contextually aware. Compared to Gemini, it always pulls information directly from websites instead of relying purely on internal AI data, which is a win for accuracy.

But there’s a catch. Because an AI filters the information before showing it, errors and “hallucinations” can still happen. For example, just because something is posted online doesn’t mean it’s factually correct. The flood of AI-generated content online only makes this harder to control.

For content creators and businesses, the situation can be even trickier. Since AI Mode scrapes multiple sites to generate its answers, it becomes an intermediary between the user and the source. That means fewer clicks, less engagement, and potentially lower sales. Some sites have already reported traffic drops of 20–60% since AI-driven searches became mainstream.

Cloudflare’s recent move to introduce an AI firewall highlights this growing tension. Many creators and businesses feel that their content is being used without fair credit, or worse, without permission.

Imagine you run a subscription-based cooking blog in Toronto, and your recipes start appearing in AI chats for free. Suddenly, your hard work is being served up without compensation. You didn’t just lose traffic and money, but you lost ownership of your creativity.

So, Is SEO Dead as We Know It?

Not quite. But it’s evolving fast. Right now, Google’s AI Mode is still optional, users must manually switch to its tab to use it. Traditional Google Search remains the default, and that’s good news for businesses and marketing teams.

Even though Google is heavily investing in AI, it hasn’t fully monetized these features yet (aside from Gemini’s Subscriptions). This transition period gives every business owner and search engine optimization agency a window of opportunity to adapt.

In short words, SEO isn’t dead, but it’s transforming. Now’s the time for businesses to rethink their digital marketing strategies and start working with a trusted SEO consultancy or SEO agency that can navigate this shift effectively.

Creating Content That Rides the AI Wave

Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. So instead of resisting, let’s talk about how to make your content shine in this new environment.

Here are three practical tips from our SEO experts at MRKT360, your trusted SEO company in Toronto:

1. Be the best of the best: Google’s AI Mode relies on the traditional Google Search ranking algorithm. Content that performs well in regular searches will likely appear in AI Mode too. Quality and credibility are still king.
2. Adopt an omnichannel marketing strategy: Having a strong digital presence (social media, blogs, Google Business Profile) helps AI systems recognize and recommend your brand. The more consistent your online presence, the better your chances.
3. Optimize for local search: AI personalization includes location targeting. Make sure your SEO strategy highlights where you operate. A well-maintained Google Maps profile can put your business on the AI map, literally.

The Bottom Line

The AI era isn’t the end of SEO, it’s the next chapter. The key is adaptation. Businesses that invest in affordable SEO services and partner with a reliable search engine optimization agency will thrive in this evolving landscape.

At MRKT360, our SEO consultancy team helps businesses adjust their strategies for this new search reality: balancing innovation with proven tactics. 

Whether you’re a small business or a growing brand in Toronto, Vaughan, or Richmond Hill, now’s the perfect time to update your digital playbook.

Let’s future-proof your online visibility, contact us today and make your business AI-proof. 

About MRKT360

MRKT360 is a results-driven digital marketing and solutions agency offering end-to-end services in performance marketing, AI strategy, SEO, GEO, paid media, and IT optimization.

With clients around the world, MRKT360 specializes in future-proofing brands through innovative solutions that align marketing and infrastructure.