Become a TechRadar Insider
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, and it's all thanks to AI. Google revealed its updated Search Box, which is both a redesign and an AI fusion courtesy of Gemini, alongside other enhancements during its Google I/O 2026 keynote.
Google Search has had an AI Mode for a while now, but Google's adding new agents, expanding Personal Intelligence to more countries, there's a smart shopping cart coming, and it's going to get easier to book activities based on your very specific criteria, all within Search.
Firstly, though, Google's changing the iconic Search Bar for the first time in 25 years – both in its look and in what can be done within the search box. Instead of focusing on basic inquiries, the new search bar emphasizes and encourages a conversation with Gemini by making it easier to ask follow-up questions or trigger one of the new features mentioned below.
Information agents come to Search
Google is planning to add different AI agents — which is a fancy term for what's effectively software that performs only a specific task — to Search over time. The first type of agent coming to Search is an information agent.
Think of an information agent as a constantly running search query that's monitoring results on your behalf, and sending you an alert whenever your criteria is 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, then alert you the moment an apartment meets your criteria.
Another example from Google is having an agent monitor for any announcements from your favorite pro athletes pertaining to a sneaker collab, with an alert arriving the instant the announcement is made. You create the agent, put it to work, and wait for the results to come in.
Information agents will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers starting later this summer, but we don't have a specific launch date as of yet.
Book your next adventure directly in Search
Soon you'll be able to book your next night out or activity directly in Google Search. Google provides the example of finding a karaoke room for you and your friends that serves food late.
After the search is complete, you'll be given a link to book it directly, or for select categories like home repair, beauty, and pet care, Google will offer to call the business for you.
All Search users in the U.S. will get access to the new agentic booking feature this summer, and we can't wait to go hands-on with it.
Shopping gets easier with the new Universal Cart
Beyond helping you book a reservation or other activity, Google is also rolling out a new Universal Cart that will be available across several Google products. Meaning, if you're researching a product on YouTube or through Search, you can add it to your Universal Cart and you'll see it in the same shopping cart.
Once a product is added to your cart, Google will start looking for the best deals and will send alerts when the item is back in stock. Using Universal Cart, you can add products from different retailers and check out in one place, or you can go directly to the retailers site to complete the purchase.
Furthermore, Universal Cart will use AI to analyze the products in your cart to 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's not compatible with the processor.
Universal Cart will launch first on Search and in the Gemini app this summer, with YouTube and Gmail support to follow.
Gemini can create mini apps, simulations and more directly in Search
With Google's claim that Gemini 3.5 Flash is better than 3.1 Pro at nearly every task, including coding, it makes sense that Google would add agentic coding to Search, leveraging 3.5 Flash's new capabilities.
Using the new agentic coding feature, you'll be able to build mini apps, directly in Search. For example, Google showed off the creation of a custom fitness tracker that will use information from your Google account, such as gym memberships, recent grocery lists, and your location to find local fitness classes.
Within this mini app, you'll see a daily schedule with your meal plan (complete with grocery list), meetings, events, and planned workouts. Basically, Google just took away my favorite excuse to not work out: I'm too busy and don't have time.
You can then revisit this self-created app and mark off workouts, keep track of your vitamin intake, and whatever else you'd like to track inside a fitness app — it's your app, of course, make it what you want.
Another change you'll begin to see when agentic coding rolls out is simulations, charts and graphs as part of your search results. For example, a search pertaining to black holes and spacetime could trigger the coding agent to create a model to provide a visualization.
Agentic coding in Search will launch in the U.S. "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 U.S. for Gemini AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. In March, Google made it available to all users, but it was still limited to the U.S.
Starting today, the feature will be available to everyone in almost 200 countries and across 98 languages.
With Personal Intelligence, you can connect other Google services like Photos, Gmail, and Calendar to Search, and AI Mode will surface personal information — when appropriate — in Search results.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
