Reddit users are raising questions after noticing Google’s Deep Search tool, part of its AI Mode, appearing briefly and then disappearing without explanation.
The feature, designed to provide extended reasoning and multi-source answers, has been reported as inconsistent across accounts, devices, and regions.
Multiple discussions in r/Bard describe how Deep Search shows up only when using U.S. VPNs or Pro-level subscriptions.
Yet, several users reported the opposite: the option vanishes as soon as they log into paid tiers.
Posts in r/grok detail missing DeepSearch and DeeperSearch buttons in iOS apps, while others claim the features reappear when accounts are logged out.
Speculation has grown that Google may be limiting the rollout intentionally.
In July, the company introduced Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search through its Search Labs program, restricted to U.S. AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers, according to Search Engine Journal.
This staged launch matches reports that the tools are stable only for American users, while international users see intermittent access.
The lack of clarity has fueled frustration. A contributor in r/grok said, “I am deeply disappointed by the removal of DeepSearch and Think, because those features were the sole reason I used Grok.”
Such feedback reflects growing dissatisfaction among subscribers who expected reliable access to premium AI tools.
The rollout has also raised questions about transparency. Deep Search is marketed as an advanced system capable of scanning broader sources and producing detailed results.
Yet its inconsistent presence undermines user trust, especially for researchers and students who depend on stability in AI-powered search.
Google has not commented publicly on whether the disappearing feature is tied to subscription tiers, technical glitches, or regional testing.
Until the company addresses the reports, users remain uncertain if they are witnessing a controlled experiment or flaws in the system.
For now, the tool continues to flicker in and out of visibility, leaving users to debate whether Deep Search is a glimpse of Google’s future search model or simply an unstable experiment in progress.
