Google introduced a new feature on Thursday designed to enhance web exploration through its AI Mode conversational search. When using AI Mode on the Chrome desktop browser, clicking any link will now open the corresponding webpage in a side-by-side view with the AI interface. According to the company, this approach aims to simplify browsing relevant sites, comparing information, and asking detailed follow-up questions without losing the original search context.

For instance, if someone is shopping for a coffee maker, they can describe their preferences in AI Mode to receive various recommendations. After selecting an option, they can open the retailer’s site alongside the AI assistant and pose specific queries, such as “how easy is this to clean.” AI Mode will then draw on context from that webpage and broader online sources to provide answers.

In a blog post, Google noted that early testers appreciated not having to toggle between tabs when working through detailed articles or lengthy videos. Users also found that keeping both Search and the web open side-by-side helped maintain focus on their tasks while exploring useful pages.

Additionally, Google unveiled a new method to search across already-open Chrome tabs. On both desktop and mobile versions of Chrome, users can click the new “plus” menu within the search box on the “New Tab” page or in AI Mode, then choose recent tabs to incorporate them into a search. This allows people to combine multiple tabs, images, or files and bring that context into their AI Mode inquiries.

As an example, someone researching local hiking trails with several tabs already open can add those tabs to a search and request similar trails in another area. Alternatively, a student studying for a statistics exam could pull in context from open tabs, class notes, and lecture slides to ask for examples that clarify a concept.

These updates to AI Mode are currently available in the United States for English-language users. Google intends to expand access to additional regions over time.