Preps for making AI Mode as default Google Search page seem to be in full throttle

I just opened my phone to find something interesting waiting in Google Opinion Rewards. Instead of the usual questions about where I shopped or what apps I used, Google wanted to know something different. They showed me two search result pages side by side for “Google Pixel” (a search query I used earlier today) and asked which one looked better, felt more helpful, and seemed less pushy with product recommendations.

This wasn’t just any ordinary survey. One page displayed traditional search results with the familiar blue links we’ve all grown up clicking. The other showcased their AI-powered interface, complete with conversational responses and synthesized information. Google was essentially asking me to pick a side in what might be the biggest shift in search history.

Earlier this month, I reported on comments from a Google AI product lead suggesting that AI Mode would soon become the default search experience. The news sparked quite a reaction online until Google Search VP Robby Stein quickly downplayed it, saying people shouldn’t “read too much into this” and that they’re simply “focusing on making it easy to access AI Mode for those who want it.”

But this survey tells a different story. Google isn’t just making AI Mode more accessible – they’re actively testing whether users prefer it over traditional search. The questions go deep, asking about visual appeal, helpfulness, and even which page feels more commercial. They want to know what I was actually trying to accomplish when I searched for “Google Pixel” and how I typically use AI tools throughout the week.

Google asked about my usage of ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and even their own AI Overviews. They wanted to understand not just my search preferences but my entire relationship with AI tools. Do I use them for quick facts? Creative projects? Professional work? The questions painted a picture of someone trying to map out the complete AI usage patterns of their user base.

The survey even included an open-ended question about improvements, where I simply wrote: “I want publishers to get clicks. Thanks.” It’s a small gesture, but it reflects a bigger concern many of us have about AI potentially reducing traffic to the websites that actually create the content we’re looking for.

Here’s what makes this survey significant: Google doesn’t need to ask users which search format they prefer unless they’re seriously considering making changes. The company has access to endless behavioral data, click-through rates, and engagement metrics. Now that they’re turning to direct user feedback through Opinion Rewards, it likely means they’re weighing a major decision.

The survey questions reveal Google’s specific concerns too. They’re not just wondering if people like AI search – they want to know if it feels too commercial, if it provides the right level of detail, and whether it matches what users actually want to accomplish. These are the exact pain points that would determine whether AI Mode could realistically replace traditional search.

Despite Stein’s public comments downplaying the AI Mode rollout, this survey suggests Google is very much testing the waters for a potential default change. They’re gathering the user sentiment data they’d need to justify such a massive shift, especially given the inevitable pushback from publishers and SEO professionals who worry about reduced web traffic.

The fact that I received this survey today, weeks after the initial AI Mode controversy, shows Google is still actively researching this transition. They’re not just trying to make AI Mode more accessible, but they’re building the case for why it should be the primary search experience.

That said, have you received a similar survey for AI Mode recently? Let me know in the comments below.

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