TH
The Verge
4/16/2026

Google's AI Mode update lets you open links without leaving the page
TL;DR
Google's AI Mode now opens linked sources in a side-by-side panel instead of new tabs, enabling follow-up questions about page content without context switching. This feature improves research workflows by keeping the chat and source visible simultaneously. The update is the latest in a series of AI Mode enhancements over the past year, including image generation for outfits and decor, travel visualization, and restaurant discovery tools.
- •AI Mode now opens source links in side panels instead of new tabs
- •Users can ask follow-up questions about linked content without leaving the chat
- •Part of ongoing improvements to Google's leftside search chatbot feature
Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.
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