Google announced on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that users can now link and interact with select third-party apps directly within AI Mode, its conversational search experience. The initial rollout supports Instacart, Canva, and YouTube.
The update extends AI Mode’s functionality beyond answering questions and into completing tasks within apps users already rely on. For example, someone planning a barbecue can connect their Instacart account to add grocery list items directly to a shopping cart and check out through the Instacart app or website. Users can also ask Canva to surface design templates for a project, or use AI Mode to put together a playlist and save it instantly to YouTube Music.
The feature is rolling out to users in the United States. Google says it is working with additional partners and plans to expand app support in the future.
Google’s stated aim with the update is to make AI Mode a more regular destination for tasks like planning and shopping. The company also noted that rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude both support app integrations, suggesting competitive positioning may be a factor in the rollout.
The announcement builds on a capability Google introduced earlier in 2026 at Google I/O, which allowed users to connect third-party apps — including Canva, OpenTable, Spark, and Instacart — to the Gemini app to complete tasks faster.
Since launching in early 2025, AI Mode has seen a series of expansions. Recent additions include the ability to check local store inventory for items, a side-by-side web browsing feature that preserves search context, and “Personal Intelligence,” which connects AI Mode to a user’s Gmail and Google Photos to generate more personalized responses.
Source: TechCrunch