Google AI Overviews Now Expand on Their Own for Some Searches and Lead More People Into AI Mode

On August 28, 2026, Google confirmed that for some searches, AI Overviews expand into a full answer on their own, with a follow-up box already showing so people can keep asking. TIME reported on September 29 that Google says AI Mode now has more than 1 billion monthly users. For Taiwanese SMEs, customers are more likely to finish comparing options inside the AI answer, without necessarily clicking through to a website. None of the current reports say which countries or languages this change appears in.

1. What happened

According to Search Engine Roundtable's August 28 report, AI Overviews for some queries now expand automatically to show the full AI answer, with the follow-up box already open; before, you had to click Show more to see it. Once expanded, regular search results are pushed further down; if the user has already started scrolling, it doesn't expand. A Google spokesperson said in the report that for some queries, AI Overviews may expand dynamically for topics where its systems determine it is most useful.

TIME's September 29 report describes something similar: for some queries, an AI Overview appears first, followed by an Ask Anything search bar that opens an AI Mode conversation, and this bar is often no longer hidden behind a Show more button. The report also says Google has put an AI Mode button on the Search homepage for many users.

In Taiwan, Google launched AI Mode in Traditional Chinese on October 8, 2025. Its official post says AI Mode answers include reference links, and when the system isn't highly confident in an answer, it shows web search results instead. However, none of the reports above say whether the late-August auto-expansion also appears in Taiwan or in Traditional Chinese searches.

2. What it means for SMEs in Taiwan

Our view: when AI answers expand by themselves and invite follow-up questions, customers may settle which business suits them best without leaving the search page. Fewer clicks reach websites, so being written into the AI answer matters more. AI Mode answers include reference links, so a clear website and Google Business Profile that are easy to cite count for more than before.

This doesn't mean regular search rankings no longer matter. AI answers still draw on content on the web. The better approach is to cover both: make your website content answer customers' questions directly, and regularly check whether AI answers mention you.

3. What you can do now

• On a phone and a computer, search the 5 questions customers in your field ask most, and see how AI Overviews answer and which sites they cite.
• Update your Google Business Profile name, category, opening hours, services and website link so they are correct.
• Write FAQs on your website as question and answer, with the answer in the first sentence.
• Open the generative AI performance report in Search Console to see which pages already appear in AI features.
• Repeat the same set of questions every month and note any changes.

The short version

Google is moving more searches into AI answers and AI Mode, so businesses should start caring whether AI answers mention them, not just where they rank.