While this week has been relatively quiet in terms of major search industry shakeups, one story definitely stood out: the unexpected indexing of ChatGPT conversations by Google. This incident raised serious privacy concerns and sparked important discussions around how AI-generated content is shared and surfaced online. Alongside that, Google continues to expand its AI Mode rollout with new learning-focused tools just in time for back-to-school season, and its official launch in the UK, offering users a more conversational, multimodal search experience.
Fast Company recently revealed that Google unexpectedly indexed publicly shared ChatGPT conversations, exposing thousands of private exchanges that users had assumed were limited in visibility. These incidents underscore the growing privacy risks in generative AI tools.
How the Issue Unfolded
The Root Cause
Responses and Rollback
Broader Privacy Implications
What You Can Do Now
| Step | Recommendation |
| Audit Shared Links | Run site:chatgpt.com/share on Google to discover possible indexed links. |
| Use OpenAI Dashboard | Go to Settings → Data Controls → Shared Links → Manage to delete public chats. |
| Educate Teams | Ensure colleagues understand that shared AI chats can be publicly discoverable—even if anonymized. |
| Adjust Sensitivity Habits | Avoid entering personal, confidential, or proprietary information in conversations intended for sharing. |
Why This Matters
Even though OpenAI has taken corrective action and is actively de-indexing affected chats, the episode raises larger concerns about AI governance, data hygiene, and platform transparency. As users increasingly rely on AI for sensitive inquiries—from therapy simulations to internal planning—the risks of digital leakage grow. News departments, enterprise teams, and individuals alike must revisit how they treat AI-generated content—both in intent and in execution.
As the new school year begins, Google is rolling out major enhancements to AI Mode in Search, aiming to support students, parents, and lifelong learners with more interactive and intelligent tools. These upgrades are currently being tested with AI Mode Labs users in the U.S., but they offer a clear glimpse into how Google envisions the future of search as a personalized learning assistant.
Smarter Search with Images and PDFs
One of the most exciting features is the ability to ask questions about uploaded images and PDFs directly in AI Mode. Initially launched for mobile, this capability is now expanding to desktop users. Soon, students can upload lecture slides or textbook diagrams and ask Google to explain them in real time—no need to manually search for each topic.
The AI doesn’t just answer based on the file alone. It references relevant web content and provides helpful links for deeper exploration, making it a powerful study companion.
Introducing Canvas: A Personalized Planning Workspace
Google also introduced a new feature called Canvas—a planning space that lives alongside your AI conversations. With Canvas, users can create structured plans, like study guides or research outlines, and build on them over time.
In future updates, Google will allow users to upload supporting documents like syllabi, notes, or assignments, enabling Canvas to become an even more personalized and contextual planning tool.
Search Live: Video-Based AI Interaction
AI Mode is also integrating with Search Live, a feature that combines Google Lens and Project Astra. On mobile, users can initiate a live video session, point the camera at an object or document, and ask the AI contextual questions on the spot.
This could be especially useful for understanding science experiments, navigating physical textbooks, or solving real-world problems visually. The feature is currently rolling out to Android and iOS users in the U.S. who are part of the AI Mode Labs program.
Chrome Updates: Ask Google About This Page
In Chrome, a new feature will allow users to “Ask Google about this page” when browsing any website. This triggers an AI Overview that can be refined with follow-up prompts using the “Dive deeper” button.
Users will also be able to interact with images and diagrams embedded in websites, essentially turning every web page into a launchpad for interactive exploration.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Search
These updates show Google’s commitment to evolving Search into more than just a results engine—it’s becoming a smart assistant that helps users understand, organize, and interact with information in richer ways.
While most of these features are still experimental and limited to U.S. users aged 18 and up, their implications are far-reaching. Google is clearly positioning AI Mode to compete directly with tools like ChatGPT’s Study Mode, offering a native, search-integrated experience for students and knowledge seekers alike.
Google has officially launched AI Mode in the United Kingdom, beginning July 28, 2025, marking its third major regional expansion after the United States and India. This update introduces a more interactive, conversational version of Search, allowing users to ask complex questions and receive AI-powered summaries that combine information from across the web—all within the familiar Google interface.
Key Features of AI Mode in the UK
Advanced Reasoning with Gemini 2.5
AI Mode is powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 model, enabling users to ask nuanced, multi-part questions. The system delivers synthesized responses ideal for tasks like trip planning, comparing products, or understanding layered concepts.
Multimodal Input Options
Users in the UK can now interact with Search using text, voice, or image inputs. Whether speaking a query aloud or uploading a photo, AI Mode interprets and responds contextually.
Query Fan-Out for Better Discovery
Behind the scenes, AI Mode breaks down complex questions into multiple sub-queries. This approach ensures more comprehensive, relevant answers, surfacing content users might not have discovered through traditional search.
Follow-Up Conversations in Context
Users can continue the conversation with follow-up questions based on previous responses. Google notes that people using AI Mode tend to ask longer, more detailed queries—highlighting a shift toward exploratory, conversational search.
What This Means
With this rollout, Google continues to evolve its core search product into a more intelligent and assistive tool. For UK users, AI Mode promises a richer search experience—ideal for students, planners, researchers, and anyone seeking in-depth answers.
Strategically, the UK launch positions Google to compete more directly with AI-first platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity, while leveraging its deep search infrastructure and broad content reach. Google is also expected to expand AI Mode to additional countries in the coming months.
Although the spotlight this week shines brightest on the ChatGPT indexing controversy, Google’s steady march toward AI-powered search continues in the background. With AI Mode gaining new features and reaching more users globally, it’s clear that the future of search is getting more interactive and assistive. We’ll be keeping an eye on how these developments unfold—especially as questions of privacy, transparency, and user control come more sharply into focus.
Get Our Most 7 Controversial S.I.A. Studies That Will Make Even the Most Advanced SEO Shake Their Head in Disbelief.
Plus we will alert you when we publish new tests to the public.
Obtenga nuestros 7 estudios S.I.A. más controvertidos que harán que incluso el SEO más avanzado sacuda la cabeza con incredulidad.
Además, le avisaremos cuando publiquemos nuevas pruebas al público.
Obtenez nos 7 études S.I.A. les plus controversées qui feront trembler la tête même les SEO les plus avancés d’incrédulité.
De plus, nous vous alerterons lorsque nous publierons de nouveaux tests au public.
Before you can receive free updates, link building strategies or SEO tips you need to confirm your email right now.
(It’s easy)
Just go to your inbox, open the confirmation email from the SIA, and click the link.
And that’s it!
PS: If you don’t see a confirmation email, please check your spam/junk or promotions folders. Sometimes the confirmation message ends up there by mistake.
