Google has launched what it calls its biggest Search update in more than 25 years, centered around a new Intelligent AI-powered Search Box. The announcement made at Google I/O 2026, shows how Google is pushing AI deeper into its core Search product, not just as an optional feature, but as the default experience for more users.
The redesigned Search box changes how users interact with Search. Instead of typing short keywords and clicking links, users can now ask longer questions, upload multiple types of content, and continue conversations directly inside Search. The company is also launching new Search agents and an expansion of Personal Intelligence inside AI Mode.
The New Intelligent Search Box
Google says the new search box is built for longer and more detailed prompts. The Search box can handle more detailed input without feeling restricted by a single-line format. As users begin typing, the box gradually adjusts in size, giving more room for longer questions or multi-part prompts instead of pushing users to break their thoughts into separate searches. For example, someone planning a media campaign could type a long prompt instead of breaking it into multiple searches.
This connects directly with how Google is shifting Search away from simple keyword queries. The system is now built to accept fuller context in one place, which fits the way AI Mode processes information.
Users can also search using combinations of text, images, video, files, and even open Chrome tabs. For example, a user could upload a product brief, attach a screenshot, and ask Search to compare options or summarize findings in one step.
The new Search box also surfaces AI-powered question suggestions that go beyond standard autocomplete. The intelligent Search box is starting to roll out today in every country and language where AI Mode is available.
The launch of this feature is another sign that Google Search is moving further into conversational AI search, where discovery, research, and decision-making happen inside one interface. According to Elizabeth Reid, VP of Search, the redesigned Search box is Google's biggest upgrade to Search in more than 25 years.
Google's AI Mode Growth
This update builds directly on AI Mode, which Google launched last year as its conversational Search experience. AI Mode is Google's conversational Search experience that uses Google's Gemini models to generate longer-form answers and support follow-up dialogue.
The feature was launched at I/O 2025 and rolled out to all U.S. users later that year before Google brought it to all Labs users earlier in the rollout. One year on, AI Mode has surpassed one billion monthly users, with queries more than doubling every quarter since launch. Google said total Search queries reached an all-time high last quarter.
AI Mode Upgrades
Google says it is upgrading Search with Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google's newest Flash model. The model, built for agentic tasks and coding, replaces the previous default model behind AI Mode.
The company is also updating how users continue their conversations with Search. From an AI Overview, users can now ask a follow-up question and flow directly into a conversational back-and-forth with AI Mode, an extension of the link between AI Overviews and AI Mode Google began testing earlier this year.
Google says context stays with the user through the conversation, and supporting links update as the conversation deepens. The follow-up flow is live for all desktop and mobile users globally.
Search Agents
Google is also introducing a new category of background AI agents that operate inside Search. The first type, information agents, intelligently reason across web sources such as blogs, news sites and social posts, alongside Google's own real-time data for finance, shopping and sports, to monitor for changes related to a user's specific question.
The agent sends a synthesized update when something matches the user's criteria, with the option to take action. Information agents launch first for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer.
Agentic Booking and Business Calling
Google is expanding the agentic booking capability it launched in Search earlier in 2026, originally focused on travel, to local experiences and services. Users describe their criteria and Search returns current pricing, availability and direct booking links from providers.
For select service categories including home repair, beauty and pet care, Google can also call businesses on the user's behalf to gather information such as availability and pricing. Both capabilities is rolling out across the U.S. this summer.
Personal Intelligence Expands Globally
Personal Intelligence in AI Mode, which lets Search reference a user's own context, is expanding to nearly 200 countries and territories across 98 languages, with no subscription required. Google first expanded the feature to all free users in March. Users can connect Gmail and Google Photos today, with Google Calendar support coming. Connections are opt-in and user-controlled.
Minol on Google’s Intelligent Search Box and the future of search monetization.
“Google [has] left out an extremely important detail for its and other businesses: Monetization.
How does regular Paid Search survive when there are no links to click?
How does Google Shopping function if an Al agent is doing the browsing for you?
It would be insane for Google to kill its primary revenue stream, but there also aren't any recent attempts at ads in Al search that show us how this could work.
Does this also mean the death of Google Analytics and Search Console? Google's Al synthesizes all the information on the search page, click-through rates to websites are going to plummet. Google could provide better tracking, which has been needed for a while, or it's possible that we are entering an analytical black box.”
Recap
What did Google announce for Search at I/O 2026?
Google announced a redesigned, intelligent AI-powered Search box, a new category of background information agents, agentic coding inside Search, and an expansion of Personal Intelligence in AI Mode to nearly 200 countries. Google also made Gemini 3.5 Flash the default model in AI Mode for users worldwide.</p>
How does the new intelligent Search box work?
The Search box dynamically expands as users type, gives room to describe a full question, and surfaces AI-powered question suggestions that go beyond standard autocomplete. It accepts text, images, files, videos and Chrome tabs as inputs in the same field, while still returning the same range of Search results. It is rolling out today in every country and language where AI Mode is available.</p>
What is AI Mode and how has it grown since launch?
AI Mode is Google's conversational Search experience, powered by Gemini, that generates longer-form answers and supports follow-up dialogue inside Search. Google introduced AI Mode at I/O 2025 and rolled it out to all U.S. users later that year. One year on, AI Mode has surpassed one billion monthly users, queries inside it have more than doubled every quarter since launch, and total Google Search queries reached an all-time high last quarter.</p>
