When Google launched AI Mode as part of its evolving Search experience, it was initially framed as an English-only feature which was available to users in the United States and later, India through Search Labs.
The official documentation still states that AI Mode supports English only. But in practice? It turns out that is not entirely true.
But as per the recent testing and updates Google AI Mode can respond to queries in other languages including Japanese, German and potentially more. And that raises some important questions.
Is this an early rollout of multilingual support Google has not officially acknowledged?
How Was This Discovered? A User Test in Japan Reveals a Hidden Feature
This unexpected multilingual ability was first brought to light by Kenichi Suzuki, a well-known search marketer and blogger in Japan.
He posted on X with screenshots showing Google AI Mode responding in Japanese, despite the platform being labeled as English-only.
⚡ How to Use AI Mode in languages other than English
🇯🇵🇩🇪🇪🇸🇰🇷…
Currently, AI Mode only works in English in the US and India. However, you can use it with other languages by asking follow-up questions.@rustybrick pic.twitter.com/mLy1cpqCCA— Kenichi Suzuki💫鈴木謙一 (@suzukik) July 3, 2025
His post included follow-up queries asked in Japanese, to which the AI responded fluently. “Currently, AI Mode only works in English in the US and India,” Suzuki wrote.
“However, you can use it with other languages by asking follow-up questions.”
In other words, even though the initial prompt must be in English, once the conversation starts, users can switch to another language and AI Mode does not just translate and fully respond in that language.
Shortly after, other users also added his conversation. One user named Damien shared that this behavior even appears in the “People Also Ask” AI-generated responses section, further suggesting that the AI’s multilingual capabilities are not limited to direct queries.
Good catch!
I have suggestions for questions like the PAAs on the SERPs.
And in a different language by asking the question in English or French. pic.twitter.com/EoMUsynAqM
— Damien (andell) (@AndellDam) July 3, 2025
So, Does Google Officially Support Other Languages?
As of now, Google’s official help documentation continues to say “English only.” No new announcements have been made to contradict this. But the behavior we’re seeing tells a different story.
This opens up a few possibilities:
- Multilingual models are already in place but not publicly supported due to testing or quality concerns.
- Google is quietly testing language capabilities in a limited rollout before a global launch.
- The language understanding is a byproduct of Google’s broader multilingual LLM (large language model) development, such as Gemini.
Whatever the case, it is clear that AI Mode has the technical ability to understand and generate content in multiple languages, even if it is not yet polished or officially launched for non-English use.
What This Means for Search Users?
From a user’s perspective, this “hidden feature” is actually incredibly valuable.
Let us say you are in Japan and using Google AI Mode for cooking advice, travel questions or news summaries. Even if you start in English, the AI can continue the conversation fluently in Japanese. This eliminates the need for translation tools or switching platforms.
For bilingual users, this opens up a more flexible, fluid search experience. For example:
A user might start with a broad English query: “What are the best dishes in Kyoto?”
Then follow up in Japanese: “おすすめのお店は？” (What are the recommended restaurants?
And the AI keeps up work seamlessly. This feature can be really helpful for:
- Travelers needing quick, localized information
- Multilingual households
- Global businesses performing multilingual research
- Non-English-first users navigating an English-dominated web
Why Hasn’t Google Made This Official Yet?
There are likely several reasons Google has not openly promoted AI Mode’s multilingual ability.
First, there is the issue of accuracy and fluency. Language generation in one language is complex enough but doing it across many languages, with nuance and cultural context, introduces risk. A bad translation or culturally insensitive
Second, Google may be rolling out this functionality slowly to gather data. By letting savvy users experiment and discover it on their own, Google can monitor usage patterns and feedback before making a broader announcement.
And third, it could be a matter of resource prioritization. Rolling out full AI support in 20+ languages would require significant localization, testing and UX design updates.
What Should Users and Content Creators Do Now?
If you are a user, the takeaway is simple: try it out.
You may be surprised to find that AI Mode already understands your native language, even if it does not advertise it. Use it for follow-up questions in your own language and test how well it responds.
If you are a content creator or SEO professional, this development is a sign that: Multilingual content may soon play a bigger role in AI search. You should consider creating content in other languages, especially if you serve international audiences.
This also raises questions about attribution. If AI Mode pulls from multilingual sources to answer a question in German or Hindi, will those sites get credit? Will traffic go down like we have seen with English AI Overviews?
A Quiet Global Test, or a Glimpse of Google’s Future?
Google’s AI Mode responding in non-English languages was not announced with a splashy blog post or a product launch event. Instead, it was discovered by observant users, quietly experimenting with how the AI responds.
And yet, this could end up being one of the most impactful updates to AI search in 2025.
Because when AI can speak your language without you asking, without switching apps and without needing to translate—it suddenly becomes far more useful, more personal and even more powerful.
Dileep Thekkethil
AuthorDileep Thekkethil is the Director of Marketing at Stan Ventures, where he applies over 15 years of SEO and digital marketing expertise to drive growth and authority. A former journalist with six years of experience, he combines strategic storytelling with technical know-how to help brands navigate the shift toward AI-driven search and generative engines. Dileep is a strong advocate for Google’s EEAT standards, regularly sharing real-world use cases and scenarios to demystify complex marketing trends. He is an avid gardener of tropical fruits, a motor enthusiast, and a dedicated caretaker of his pair of cockatiels.