Google is constantly tweaking its search interface, and the latest experiment spotted in the wild could signal a shift in how users access its advanced AI features. According to a recent report, Google is testing a new blue “Send” button that appears in the search box as you start typing—replacing the prominent AI Mode button.
What’s Changing in This Test?
In the current Google Search interface (as of early 2026), the search box includes several icons on the right side:
- The AI Mode button for switching to a more conversational, Gemini-powered search experience.
- Google Lens for image searches.
- Microphone for voice input.
These buttons are visible even before you type. But in this new test:
- As soon as you begin typing a query, the AI Mode, Lens, and Microphone buttons disappear.
- They are replaced by a prominent blue “Send” button.
- The only remaining icon is a plus sign (+), which allows uploading files or images and routes to AI Mode results.
Clicking the blue “Send” button submits the query to standard Google Search results—not to AI Mode.
This change was first documented by search enthusiast Shameem Adhikarath, who shared a video demonstration on X (formerly Twitter). The test has since been confirmed by others in the SEO community.
Why Does This Matter?
At first glance, it seems like a minor UI cleanup—making the search box less cluttered while typing. But the implications could be bigger:
- Reduced Visibility for AI Mode: The AI Mode button is no longer persistently available once typing starts. Users who want an AI-powered response might need to stop typing, clear the box, or use the plus sign workaround. This could lead to fewer people opting into AI Mode.
- Prioritizing Traditional Search: By replacing mode-selection buttons with a “Send” button that leads straight to classic results (the famous “10 blue links” plus AI Overviews where applicable), Google may be gently nudging users toward its core search experience rather than the full conversational AI Mode.
- Context in Google’s AI Push: Google has been aggressively rolling out AI features throughout 2025, including wider availability of AI Mode and bridges from AI Overviews directly into deeper AI responses. This test feels like a counterbalance—perhaps responding to user feedback, performance data, or a desire to maintain balance between traditional and AI search.
Google has not officially commented on this test, which is typical for early experiments. As with most Google tests, it may never roll out widely, or it could evolve into a permanent change.

What Should Users and SEOs Watch For?
- For Everyday Users: If you’re used to tapping AI Mode for complex queries, keep an eye on the plus sign as a potential alternative entry point.
- For Marketers and Site Owners: If this change reduces AI Mode usage, it might preserve more traffic to traditional organic results. Conversely, Google’s ongoing AI integrations (like follow-up questions in AI Overviews) continue to evolve the landscape.
Search Engine Land’s Barry Schwartz broke this story on January 2, 2026, highlighting how these small interface tweaks can influence user behavior at scale.
Google’s search box has undergone countless iterations over the years, from the addition of the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button to the integration of AI Overviews. This blue Send button test is just the latest reminder that even tiny changes can have outsized impact in the world’s most-used search engine.
What do you think—helpful simplification or a step back from AI accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Source: Search Engine Land – Google tests blue Send button that replaces AI Mode in the search box