Google is reimagining its search engine to go far beyond simple queries, and it could soon know more about you than ever before.
In a recent appearance on the Silicon Valley Girl podcast, Robby Stein, Google’s Vice President of Product for Search, revealed that the company is working on a deeply personalized AI-driven experience. He explained that future versions of Search could use information from across Google services like Gmail, YouTube, and Drive — with user consent — to deliver more tailored answers.
“So, it’s something we’re working on,” Stein said. “We announced at I/O an opportunity for users in the future to be able to opt into an experience with enhanced personalization.”
The goal, according to Stein, is to make Search smarter by using the personal context people already share with Google, from favorite brands and recent purchases to upcoming school projects or travel plans.
“If you know the kinds of brands you love, if you know the kinds of places you go,” he said, “you can do more interesting things for people.”
AI search that understands you
The transformation is already underway. In Search Labs, Google users can try out “AI Mode,” which lets the system make more intelligent recommendations for things like restaurants and shopping.
For instance, if a user asks for a sushi spot nearby, the AI doesn’t just list names; it reasons through dozens of data points and even books tables automatically. During the podcast, Stein demonstrated this by having Search call multiple grooming salons for a pet, compare prices, and send back the results by email within minutes.
“It’s going to make phone calls on behalf of you to a bunch of different local businesses,” he explained. The AI then emails a summary once the task is complete.
How AI decides what you see
When asked how the AI decides which businesses or links appear first, Stein explained that it uses a system called query fanout.
“A reasoning model will think about what you’re asking, and then it will execute a bunch of questions related to it,” he said. The model essentially performs multiple searches under the hood before returning results, combining web data, Google Maps listings, and real-time business info from over 250 million places worldwide.
That means Search is no longer just about keywords or ads. Instead, it’s about how relevant your business looks to AI itself. “Interestingly, the AI thinks a lot like a person would,” Stein said. Businesses hoping to stand out should now be investing in visibility — not just for people, but for algorithms.
The host remarked on this shift, saying: “Now you’re investing in PR not for people to see it, but for AI.”
That comment reflects a growing realization in the business world that traditional public relations, such as being featured in reputable articles or lists, could now influence how AI ranks and recommends your business. Companies will need to ensure their information is credible, consistent, and accessible across the web if they want to be “seen” by Google’s AI.
Ads aren’t going away — but they’ll evolve
Despite speculation that AI recommendations could replace paid advertising, Stein said ads still have a place in Google’s future. “Don’t see them going away,” he said, noting that the way people use Search is “really expanding.”
He confirmed that Google is already running experiments on ads in AI Mode, though the company is “focused on building great consumer products first.”
Right now, this deeper personalization is only available through Google Labs, and only for things like shopping suggestions and restaurant picks. But Google confirmed Gmail and other services could connect to search “down the road.”
Google it on Yahoo if you want, but this link is easier. AI-powered search engines have been found to differ significantly from traditional Google searches.