Connect more of your apps to Search

Google officially announced on July 16, 2026, that the 'AI Mode' of its search products will support users in securely linking and interacting with third-party applications. This move allows users to execute actions directly within search results without jumping to other platforms. According to the official announcement published on the Google AI Blog, this feature aims to simplify daily tasks, such as planning events or managing projects, by integrating services commonly used by users.

The initial partners launched include Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music. In terms of specific application scenarios, Google provided three examples: First, when planning a barbecue event, users can generate a shopping list via AI Mode and directly add ingredients to an Instacart shopping cart; second, for projects requiring design concepts, users can request Canva to display template options directly within the search interface; finally, users can use AI Mode to curate party playlists and instantly save them to YouTube Music to start playing. These integrations emphasize completing closed-loop operations without leaving the search results page.

This move is interpreted as Google extending similar app connectivity features already supported in the Gemini app to the search domain. Google stated that by combining 'Personal Intelligence' with connected applications, search can provide more personalized responses. Although only three partners are involved initially, Google explicitly stated that it is collaborating with a series of other partners and expects to launch support for more applications soon. This indicates that Google is attempting to build a broader search extension ecosystem to enhance user stickiness.

The rollout of this feature began on July 16, 2026, but the current geographic restriction is clearly limited to the United States. Google's official statement indicated that it is 'rolling out gradually in the US starting this week,' without mentioning launch schedules for any other countries. Additionally, the feature is only available in the 'AI Mode' of search, not the traditional search interface. This dual limitation of region and functional module means that currently, only some US users can experience this new characteristic of shifting from retrieval to execution.

Regarding data security, Google claims that the linking process is secure and mentions providing personalized services combined with personal intelligence. However, the specific scope of data sharing, how users control this data, and the process and effects of revoking authorization were not detailed in the announcement. Due to the lack of further disclosure of privacy details by first-party sources, these key security mechanisms remain unresolved matters. Furthermore, the risk of accidental operations in actual user experiences and differences between operating systems (Android and iOS) have not been evaluated or mentioned.