Google Brings Ads to AI Mode in India: What Advertisers Need to Know as Search Growth Slows

Google is bringing ads in AI Mode to India and nine other countries, it announced on October 28, 2026, the same day Alphabet reported Q3 results. CEO Sundar Pichai said Search query growth was the highest in five years, driven by AI. But Search revenue growth slowed to 12%, and Google admitted AI Mode currently earns less per search than classic results. For Indian advertisers, AI answers are now a paid channel.

What did Google announce about AI Mode ads?

In a post on the Google Ads & Commerce Blog, Shashi Thakur, VP and GM of Google Search Ads, said ads in AI Mode are now scaling in 10 new countries, including India. Google plans to add Brazil, Mexico and the UK later in Q4 2026.

The ads appear inside AI Mode answers and are labelled "Sponsored." Google also launched multiturn ads in the US, which can appear on follow-up questions, not just the first query in a conversation.

Which countries get ads in AI Mode?

Ads in AI Mode are expanding to:

• Asia-Pacific: India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
• Africa: Kenya and Nigeria.
• Americas: Canada.
• Coming in Q4 2026: Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

The US already had ads in AI Mode. Thailand is notably not on the list, as Relevant Audience points out.

What did Sundar Pichai say about Search growth?

In Alphabet's Q3 release, Pichai said Search query growth was the highest it had been in five years, crediting AI features like AI Mode and AI Overviews. People are asking longer and more complex questions. Google says AI Mode queries are on average three times longer than traditional searches.

Alphabet also passed a half-trillion-dollar annual revenue run rate, as reported by Storyboard18.

If searches are growing, why did Search revenue growth slow?

This is the key tension. According to Relevant Audience's breakdown of Alphabet's results:

• Q1 2026: Search revenue up 19%.
• Q2 2026: up 17%.
• Q3 2026: up 12%, to $63.35 billion.

Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler said lower AI Mode monetization weighed on growth, alongside currency effects, weaker APAC retail spending and normal spending after the World Cup. In simple terms, people search more in AI Mode, but each AI Mode search earns less than a classic results page, for now. Google did not share AI Mode revenue, cost-per-click or ad load. Alphabet shares fell sharply after the results.

That explains the urgency. Expanding AI Mode ads to more countries is how Google closes the gap.

How do ads in AI Mode work?

From what Google has shared:

1. Ads sit inside the AI answer, marked "Sponsored."
2. Product listings can be paid or organic. Google says click-through rates for both are already similar in AI Mode, based on US data from late August to early September 2026.
3. Multiturn ads (US only for now) can show on follow-up questions, matching how people actually use AI chat.
4. Targeting leans on intent, since AI Mode questions are longer and more detailed than keywords.

Google has not published full eligibility rules in the blog post. It links to a Google Ads help page for details.

What does this mean for advertisers in India?

India is one of Google's biggest Search markets, so this is a major shift for Indian brands. Practical steps:

• Check your campaign setup. Talk to your Google rep or agency about which campaign types qualify for AI Mode placements.
• Write for questions, not keywords. AI Mode queries are long and conversational. Ad copy and landing pages should answer real questions.
• Track AI Mode separately where reporting allows, since costs and conversion rates may differ from classic Search.
• Prepare for more competition. As AI answers take more space, organic clicks on traditional results may fall.

How does Google AI Mode compare with ChatGPT ads?

Both Google and OpenAI are turning AI answers into ad space. ChatGPT launched ads with its own formats and pricing, as we covered in ChatGPT ads explained. Google's advantage is scale and its existing advertiser base. OpenAI's is a fast-growing conversational audience.

For marketers, the bigger point is the same on both platforms: being part of the AI answer, paid or organic, is becoming as important as ranking in the blue links. Our 30-day ChatGPT ads playbook shows how to test these new channels without wasting budget.

How can brands win in AI Mode without paying?

Paid placements are only half the picture. AI Mode also recommends brands organically, based on what it finds and trusts online. To earn those mentions, publish clear, well-sourced content that answers real customer questions, as explained in our GEO guide.

MarkGrid's Model Share tracks how often Google's AI, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Copilot recommend your brand compared with competitors. Knowing your organic share of AI answers helps you decide where paid AI Mode ads are actually needed. Budget Optimization then helps you shift spend to the channels that deliver.

FAQ

Are ads in Google AI Mode available in India?

Yes. Google announced on October 28, 2026 that ads in AI Mode are scaling in India and nine other countries.

Which countries got AI Mode ads in October 2026?

Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore. Brazil, Mexico and the UK are planned for Q4 2026.

What are multiturn ads?

Multiturn ads can appear on follow-up questions in an AI Mode conversation, not just the first query. They launched in the US in October 2026.

How much did Google Search revenue grow in Q3 2026?

Google Search and other revenue grew 12% year over year to $63.35 billion, slower than 17% in Q2 and 19% in Q1.

Why is Google Search revenue growth slowing?

Google cited lower monetization in AI Mode, currency effects, weaker APAC retail spending and post-World Cup normalization.

Are AI Mode ads labelled?

Yes. Ads in AI Mode are marked "Sponsored."

Last updated October 29, 2026.