Google Adds Connected Apps to AI Mode

Google is expanding AI Mode in Search beyond answering questions by letting users complete tasks across connected apps without leaving the search experience.

The company announced that users in the U.S. can now connect supported third party services to AI Mode. Once linked, AI Mode can pass tasks directly into those apps, including sending grocery lists to Instacart, showing Canva templates for design projects, or saving playlists to YouTube Music.

The update builds on Google’s recent push to connect its AI experiences with external services. Users can already link some apps to the Gemini app, and the company is now bringing a similar capability to Google Search.

The update also works alongside Google’s Personal Intelligence feature, which allows AI Mode to use information from connected Google services, such as Gmail and Google Photos, to provide responses based on a user’s own content. 

Google says connected apps allow AI Mode to provide more personalized responses based on the services users choose to link.

How Connected Apps Work in AI Mode

AI Mode can send grocery lists directly to Instacart

One of the first supported integrations is Instacart. Google said users planning something like a barbecue can ask AI Mode to create a grocery list. If their Instacart account is connected, they can send the ingredients directly into an Instacart shopping cart before completing their purchase through the Instacart app or website.

Instead of copying a list from Search into a shopping app, the shopping list moves directly into the retailer’s cart. Google claims this reduces the number of steps between planning a meal and placing an order.

Canva templates can be pulled into Search conversations

Google is also adding Canva as one of the first connected apps. The company said users working on projects such as flyers can ask AI Mode for design ideas, and Canva will surface template options inside the conversation.

Rather than searching separately for templates, users can ask for a specific type of design while planning their project in AI Mode.

AI Mode can save playlists to YouTube Music

Google is also connecting AI Mode with YouTube Music. Users can ask AI Mode to create a playlist based on an occasion, mood, or theme. After the playlist is generated, it can be saved directly to YouTube Music, where users can immediately start listening.

This follows the same pattern as the other integrations. AI Mode generates the response, then passes the result into the connected service instead of requiring users to recreate it manually.

Google said connected apps are available through AI Mode in Search starting this week for users in the U.S., with additional app partners planned in the future.

Part of Google’s broader AI Mode expansion

Since introducing and expanding AI Mode, Google has gradually added new capabilities that let users research, compare information, and interact with AI inside Search. 

In April, the company expanded restaurant booking capability in an AI Mode to the UK, after rolling out the functionality to the U.S. in August last year.

Today’s announcement extends that idea beyond Google’s own ecosystem by allowing AI Mode to interact with supported third-party apps.