Google built its $4.7 trillion (£3.5tn) business on the back of its uncluttered search box. And now, it's completely overhauling its core product.
Head of Search, Elizabeth Reid, just announced a reimagined "intelligent AI-powered Search box" that the Californian company believes represents the "biggest upgrade in over 25 years". It's a big risk. After all, Google was recognised as a verb by the Oxford English Dictionary back in 2006.
Its reworked search box will fundamentally alter how billions of people will interact with the web.
What do you need to know? At the heart of this overhaul sits Gemini 3.5 Flash, the newest Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, which Google says has the intelligence of larger flagship models but with faster speeds and greater efficiency. This updated model — that's also capable of executing multi-step workflows without constant human oversight — is now the default for any queries that you type in AI Mode.
Google executives announced the change during the Google I/O developer conference in California today, and the shake-up has already taken place behind-the-scenes for anyone who starts a search on Google today.
Google has redesigned its AI Mode interface, with the latest AI model now checking for reservations for you
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The redesigned search box dynamically expands to accommodate longer, conversational queries. That's because Google wants us all to move beyond simple keywords — like "best gyms near me" — and ask complete questions instead, like "I'm looking to start working out more often, can you find the most affordable gyms near me and put together a basic workout routine and nutrition plan for the first few weeks of my membership..."
As you type, Google will offer AI-powered suggestions that go well beyond traditional autocomplete — pushing you to formulate more complex questions with multiple steps. You can also attach a vast array of supporting materials, like text, images, files, videos or even Chrome tabs as inputs.
Of course, it's all very well tapping into the vast troves of information available on websites, social media, and YouTube, but you might want Google to personalise its response to you. Personal Intelligence is being rolled-out to AI Mode to almost 200 countries and territories across 98 languages to do exactly that. You can securely connect apps like Gmail and Google Photos, and soon Google Calendar. Personal Intelligence was designed with transparency, choice and control at its core.
"You’re always in control — you choose if and when you want to connect apps like Gmail and Google Photos," the US firm stressed.
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Whatever you've asked, Google wants its search to feel like an ongoing conversation. You can easily ask a follow-up question right from the AI Overview box-out at the top of the recognisable search page, complete with its 10 blue links. Gemini 3.5 Flash will remember the context, so you can refer back to things from earlier, and it'll know what you mean without repeating yourself.
"As you explore more deeply, the links and supporting articles get even more relevant," promises Google Vice President Elizabeth Reid.
This new intelligent Search box began rolling out today across all countries and languages where AI Mode is available.
But the new Google Search goes far beyond written summaries to your questions and queries. Using Google's Antigravity platform — a development platform that leverages AI to build production-ready apps — alongside Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google Search can generate new user interfaces, interactive graphics, and much more on the fly just to answer your question.
Google's new Gemini 3.5 Flash AI can quickly code-up small apps directly within search to help you visualise something that you might not understand
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Search can design custom layouts that assemble components like interactive visuals, tables, graphs, and simulations in real-time. For example, a search about black holes could generate an interactive visual that brings the concept to life. You can then ask follow-up questions and watch Google respond with fresh visuals in real-time. These aren't available yet, but will be rolling out free of charge to everyone this summer.
But Google is going further by letting you build your own mini apps directly within Search using natural language commands. These aren't about finding information, but taking action. So, you could create a meal-planning app that pulls data from your Google Calendar, or a fitness tracker tailored to personal goals that draws on live Google Maps, reviews and weather data.
The mini app feature launches first for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the coming months.
Information Agents is a new feature built into Google, which will automatically trawl in the background based on the task you've set it
|GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE
Lastly, Google is introducing what it calls Information Agents that work around the clock in the background, even while you sleep. These AI agents can monitor the entire web, from blogs and news sites to social media posts, alongside real-time data on finance, shopping and sports. They track changes and send intelligent updates to you when specific conditions are met.
You could set up an agent to watch for flat listings that match specific requirements, or track when favourite athletes announce trainer collaborations. The information agents will launch first for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer.
Google is also expanding its booking agents across local experiences and services. These can search for pricing and availability, assembling options for things like private karaoke rooms that serve food late.
For services including home repair, beauty or pet care, Google will actually telephone businesses on behalf of users to gather price quotes if information isn't available online. These booking capabilities roll out to everyone in the United States this summer.
Robby Stein, a vice president of product for Search, said: "Ask Google to just keep you updated on anything, and now our agents can do work for you even if you're not using Google. So, you could be asleep, and it's still helping you."