Google is testing a new feature for its AI Overviews in Google Search called query refinement bubbles. These bubbles appear at the top of the AI Overviews.
When a user clicks on one of these refinement bubbles, it does not change the original search query. Instead, the click directs the user into "AI Mode" for the specific set of queries associated with the bubble.
Sources and references
Original report
Google AI Overviews With Query Refinement Bubbles
Search Engine Roundtable
Read on Search Engine Roundtable (opens in a new tab)Ref 00C9E594
Cite this
APA
Interestana AI Editorial. (2026, October 29). Google Tests AI Overviews With Refinement Bubbles. Interestana. https://interestana.com/articles/google-ai-overviews-with-query-refinement-bubbles-00c9e594
MLA
“Google Tests AI Overviews With Refinement Bubbles.” Interestana, 29 Oct. 2026, interestana.com/articles/google-ai-overviews-with-query-refinement-bubbles-00c9e594.
Chicago
Interestana AI Editorial. “Google Tests AI Overviews With Refinement Bubbles.” Interestana, October 29, 2026. https://interestana.com/articles/google-ai-overviews-with-query-refinement-bubbles-00c9e594.
BibTeX
@misc{interestana_00c9e594,
author = {{Interestana AI Editorial}},
title = {{Google Tests AI Overviews With Refinement Bubbles}},
howpublished = {Interestana},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://interestana.com/articles/google-ai-overviews-with-query-refinement-bubbles-00c9e594},
note = {Summary of reporting by Search Engine Roundtable, https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-overviews-query-refinement-bubbles-42406.html}
}Credit the source
Original reporting: Search Engine Roundtable, “Google AI Overviews With Query Refinement Bubbles”, https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-overviews-query-refinement-bubbles-42406.html(opens in a new tab)
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