Circle to Search on Android now uses AI for follow-up questions

Google is currently testing a significant change for its handy “Circle to Search” feature on Android phones. When you use the tool to look up something on your screen and then want to ask a second, related question, those follow-up searches will now be guided into a special “AI Mode.” This new approach is clearly marked by a redesigned search bar placed at the very bottom of your display.

How the Feature is Changing

In the past, immediately after you used Circle to Search, the screen that popped up looked just like a standard Google search results page. It had the usual bar at the top that allowed you to either make the results window bigger or start a brand new search.

With the new test design, the initial search still provides you with the standard list of 10 website links. But if you try to continue the conversation or ask something else related to the first search, the system switches over to the AI Mode.

Here is what is different about the new AI view:

• A New Search Bar: A dedicated search bar is now fixed, or “docked,” at the bottom of your screen.
• Cleaner Look: The top-left corner is tidied up, showing only the colorful Google ‘G’ logo.
• Feedback Option: A small, floating button in the bottom-right corner allows you to quickly tap and give feedback (a thumbs up or down) before you close the window.

When you tap the “Ask anything” prompt, which includes a microphone icon for voice input, you enter the full power of the AI experience. This includes a special menu where you can access tools like “Nano Banana,” along with a list of suggested questions that are smart enough to remember what you just searched for.

Why the Bottom Bar Matters

Google has experimented over the years with placing the search bar at the bottom of the screen in its Android search app, mainly because it makes it much easier to use the phone with only one hand. While that old design never fully launched, using a bottom search bar today makes most people think of a conversational chatbot.

This design choice helps Google signal that Circle to Search follow-ups are now moving into a smarter, conversation-focused AI experience. This updated look is currently being tested within the beta version of the Google app (version 16.47) and has not yet been released to all users.