Google Expands Ads in AI Mode to 10 More Countries, No Opt-Out

Google is extending advertising inside AI Mode in Search to ten more countries, ending the ad-free experience for users there. The company offers no setting to turn the ads off.

The new markets are India, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore. Until now, ads in AI Mode were limited to the United States. Google plans a further rollout in the last quarter of 2026 that would include Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Users in European Union countries will keep the ad-free mode for the time being.

Shopping ads inside AI answers

The ads are tied to what users ask, particularly when they search for products or compare prices. If someone asks for the best telescope under $500, for example, product listings available for purchase may appear alongside the usual results.

Google says the ads will be clearly labeled as sponsored content. It also points to internal data suggesting users are interested in ads that are relevant to their searches. In its view, queries in AI Mode are longer and more detailed than traditional searches, which allows it to serve ads that match users' needs more closely.

The expansion goes beyond adding ads to results. In the United States, Google is also testing multi-step ads, which keep appearing as a user asks follow-up questions while exploring a topic.

Protecting search revenue

The move comes as Google works to protect its advertising revenue while AI-powered search tools gain ground and may change how people use a traditional search engine.

Google argues the new ads will be more closely aligned with user interests, but the lack of an off switch raises questions about how users will react. That is especially true for people who prefer direct answers without any commercial content.