Google is testing a new feature in Chrome Canary that makes it easier to ask AI questions about web pages without having to select any text. If rolled out more broadly, this feature will transform the familiar question into a quick action that works from anywhere you click.
This change is visible when you right-click on a page and select “Search with Google Lens.” Instead of being directed to the old Lens process that required selecting text or images, Chrome now adds a small floating bar at the top with the option “Ask about this page” and a preview of what you’re seeing. Windows Report describes it as a seamless addition that doesn’t interrupt reading.
This bar slides aside when you click elsewhere, but it keeps the page context readily available. You can now ask AI questions about a web page in Chrome without shifting focus to the address bar, and then continue searching for more detailed results if you wish.
Lens now starts with context
Instead of prompting you to select what’s important to you first, Chrome now captures the entire visible page by default. This change makes it easier to ask general questions, whether you want a summary, clarification, or additional context, without any setup.
When you interact with the pop-up, Chrome opens AI Mode in the sidebar. The interface includes tabs like AI Mode, All, Exact Matches, Products, and Visual Matches, indicating that Google is testing a single entry point that integrates AI responses with traditional search results.
Does this mean easier to use and more automated interaction?
Previous Lens experiences were effective, but they required some initial effort. You had to select the appropriate snippet before asking a question. This new approach reverses that. Chrome assumes the page is relevant and then lets you refine your question later, as Windows reports.
This is significant because the process itself becomes intuitive. Once the barrier is removed, asking a quick question becomes something you do while browsing, rather than planning ahead. The tool feels more like an automatic response than a standalone feature.
What else is Google testing?
Since this is still a Canary build, the timing and availability are unclear. But the direction is clear. Google is testing ways to make AI assistance feel like an integral part of Chrome, rather than hidden away in menus.
The practical bottom line is to see if this Lens overlay will be available in the Canary version with clear controls and an easy way to disable it. That’s the difference between a useful everyday shortcut and another experiment that won’t work.
