Google Search has been around for decades, but even with updates along the way, nothing compares to the scale of what was unveiled today at Google I/O 2026, all thanks to AI. Google revealed its updated search box, which is both a redesign and an AI fusion, courtesy of Gemini, along with other improvements during its Google I/O 2026 keynote.
Google Search has had an AI Mode for a while now, but Google is adding new agents, expanding Personal Intelligence to more countries, a smart shopping cart is coming, and it will be easier to book activities based on your very specific criteria, all within Search.
First, though, Google is changing the iconic search bar for the first time in 25 years, both in how it looks and what you can do inside the search box. Instead of focusing on basic queries, the new search bar emphasizes and encourages a conversation with Gemini by making it easy to ask follow-up questions or activate one of the new features mentioned below.
Information agents turn to the Search
Google plans to add different AI agents (which is a fancy term for what is effectively software that performs only a specific task) to search over time. The first type of agent that comes to Search is an information agent.
Think of an information broker as a constantly running search query that monitors results on your behalf and sends you an alert whenever your criteria are met.
Google says the new agent will be able to do things like help you find an apartment. The agent can scan apartment listings based on your list of requirements and then notify you the moment an apartment meets your criteria.
Another Google example is having an agent monitor any announcement from your favorite professional athletes related to a sneaker collaboration, with an alert arriving the instant the announcement is made. You create the agent, put it to work, and wait for the results to arrive.
Information Brokers will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers starting later this summer, but we don’t have a specific release date yet.
Book your next adventure directly in Search
Soon you’ll be able to book your next night out or activity directly on Google Search. Google provides the example of how to find a karaoke room for you and your friends that serves food late.
Once your search is complete, you’ll be provided with a link to book directly or, for select categories like home repair, beauty, and pet care, Google will offer to call the company for you.
All Search users in the US will have access to the new agent booking feature this summer, and we can’t wait to try it out.
Beyond helping you make a reservation or other activity, Google is also launching a new universal cart that will be available across several Google products. That is, if you are searching for a product on YouTube or through Search, you can add it to your universal cart and you will see it in the same shopping cart.
Once a product is added to your cart, Google will start searching for the best deals and send alerts when the item is back in stock. With Universal Cart, you can add products from different retailers and pay in one place, or you can go directly to the retailer’s site to complete the purchase.
Additionally, Universal Cart will use AI to analyze the products in your cart and ensure compatibility. Google used the example of adding PC components to your cart from different retailers. Your cart will analyze the parts and make suggestions if you have a motherboard that is not compatible with the processor.
Universal Cart will launch first in Search and the Gemini app this summer, followed by support for YouTube and Gmail.
Gemini can create mini apps, simulations, and more directly in Search
With Google claiming that Gemini 3.5 Flash is better than 3.1 Pro at almost all tasks, including encoding, it makes sense for Google to add agent encoding to Search, taking advantage of 3.5 Flash’s new capabilities.
With the new agent coding feature, you can create applets directly in Search. For example, Google showed off the creation of a personalized fitness tracker that will use information from your Google account, such as gym memberships, recent shopping lists, and your location to find local fitness classes.
Inside this mini app, you’ll see a daily schedule with your meal plan (complete with shopping list), planned meetings, events, and workouts. Basically, Google just took away my favorite excuse for not exercising: I’m too busy and I don’t have time..
You can then revisit this self-created app and bookmark workouts, track your vitamin intake, and anything else you want to track within a fitness app; It’s your app, of course, make it whatever you want.
Another change you will start to see when agent coding is implemented is simulations, charts and graphs as part of your search results. For example, a search related to black holes and spacetime could cause the encoding agent to create a model to provide a visualization.
Agent Coding in Search will launch in the US “in the coming months” for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Expanded personal intelligence in search
In January, Google launched Personal Intelligence in Search in the US for Gemini AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. In March, Google made it available to all users, but it was still limited to the US.
Starting today, the feature will be available to everyone in almost 200 countries and 98 languages.
With Personal Intelligence, you can connect other Google services like Photos, Gmail, and Calendar to Search, and AI Mode will display personal information, where applicable, in Search results.
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