Google has officially launched AI Mode in New Zealand, bringing a more conversational and intelligent search experience to Kiwi users. Richard Conway, Managing Director at The Optimisers, breaks down what this means for businesses and how to adapt. Read more to know…

As of 11pm last night Google New Zealand announced the launch of AI mode in New Zealand. This will augment AI Overviews and illustrates a key step in Google’s attempt to provide Kiwi searches with a far more sophisticated AI experience to enhance their search behaviour.

If you have been following my updates and the work we have been doing at The Optimisers, I have personally been testing AI Mode through American search using a VPN for months. My personal experience points to a richer and better outcome, although some international commentators have not been so kind.

Despite the announcement however, I am personally not yet seeing AI Mode in my search results, however I imagine this will happen today.

 

More than 90% of searches in New Zealand start with Google, therefore being featured in AI Mode is critical, I have put together some of the salient points that businesses should know about AI Mode and its impact of the visibility of your brand:

  1. Have a play – Nothing beats actively exploring and playing with AI Mode, experiment with its features to better understand the opportunities it creates. We all have individual search habits and ways of doing things. In my experience, being hands on is key to leveraging this technology.
  2. Reinforce SEO Fundamentals – Whilst we may see yet another increase in zero click searches, strong fundamentals of SEO are critical for GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and long-term success in this area. Think structured data, unique, high-value authentic content that provides value to your potential customers and demonstrates authority and expertise.
  3. Get Conversational – AI Mode allows searchers to ask complex questions and get more conversational within the Google search infrastructure. It will allow searchers to delve deeper into questions or topics and become more conversational in the way they surface information.
  4. Make sure your Google Ads are AI Optimised – Outdated search structures are holding advertisers back. Ensure your account aligns with the Four Pillars of Modern Search Excellence:
    1. Measure what’s important
    2. AI account structure
    3. Keyword selection and creative messaging must be on point.
    4. Merchant Centre Excellence

My understanding is that from a paid media perspective, AI-powered campaigns are the only method of visibility within the latest AI-driven experiences. I have ensured that the team at The Optimisers (www.theoptimisers.com) have built a strong understanding and high level of maturity with these tools in order that we can leverage them to help our partners evolve their marketing into ad-supported formats.

Looking at data from markets that have already had AI Mode for a while, Google claims that despite speculation, overall traffic has remained stable and that the quality and intent of those clicks ahs been increasing.

To find out what Google say, visit their blog: https://newzealand.googleblog.com/2025/08/google-search-introducing-ai-mode-in_22.html. Only time will tell how this plays out….

Source: Richard Conway, 22 August 2025