AI search answers your question directly in written form, drawing on many web pages and linking to them, instead of only returning a list of links.
In plain words
A classic search engine ranks pages and leaves you to read them. AI search runs the search, then has a language model read the results and write a summary with citations. Examples include Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode, and Perplexity. The numbered links let you check each answer against its sources.
A quick example
You ask 'what's the difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner?'. Instead of ten links, you get a short explanation built from several sites, with numbered links to each so you can read further.
Where you'll meet it
- Google Search, Perplexity and chat assistants with web search.
- Research tools that cite their sources.
Related
Sources
- DocsAI features and your website, Google Search Central · read 29 Sept 2026
- DocsHow does Perplexity work?, Perplexity Help Center · read 29 Sept 2026
Checked by WhatIsAI against the sources above · 29 Sept 2026. Spotted an error? Report it.