Google is testing a new way to interact with its AI Overviews feature in Search by introducing keyboard shortcuts for the overlay menu. The change was first spotted by tech journalist Mayank Parmar, who shared screenshots on X (formerly Twitter), and later confirmed by Rajan Patel, VP of Engineering for Google Search.
The AI Overviews overlay appears when users highlight text from Google’s AI-generated summaries in Search results. This interface provides quick actions—such as copying text, sharing, or searching further—without leaving the page. While the overlay itself has been part of the AI Overviews experience for a while, the addition of a keyboard shortcut is brand new.
In the screenshot shared by Parmar, a new tip appears at the bottom of the overlay: “Access this menu with Ctrl + Shift + X.” This suggests Google is looking for ways to make AI Overviews more accessible and efficient, particularly for users who prefer keyboard navigation over mouse clicks.
Rajan Patel addressed the discovery directly on X, writing, “It’s an experiment for now,” indicating that the shortcut is still in the testing phase and not yet available to all users. Like many Google Search experiments, it could be rolled out more widely if feedback is positive—or quietly retired if it fails to gain traction.
The move fits into Google’s broader trend of refining AI Overviews, which was first introduced as part of its Search Generative Experience (SGE). Since launch, the company has been testing everything from design tweaks to new features in an effort to make AI-generated answers more useful and interactive.
For now, the new Ctrl + Shift + X shortcut seems to be limited to a small group of users in Google’s test pool. If the feature proves successful, it could soon become a standard part of the AI Overviews experience, making it faster and easier for users to engage with AI-powered search results.
