Google LLC said today it’s letting users link some of their favorite, most often-used applications with AI Mode, its conversational search tool powered by artificial intelligence, initially supporting Canva, Instacart and YouTube.
The update, announced in a brief blog post by Google, marks a significant expansion of AI Mode, which now does much more than just answering questions. With these app integrations, AI Mode now can complete some basic tasks for users. The company seems to be hoping that this will be enough to persuade more people to start using AI mode for things such as shopping and planning. It also positions Google to compete better with rivals like OpenAI Group PBC and Anthropic PBC, whose ChatGPT and Claude chatbots already integrate with third-party apps.
Google offered a number of examples of what users can now do with AI Mode. For instance, people planning a barbecue can ask AI Mode to create a list of groceries they need, then connect to their Instacart account and add all of those items to their shopping cart before paying on the Instacart app.
Alternatively, if they’re working on a project, such as designing a flyer, they can ask Canva for a selection of templates. In a third example, users could also ask AI Mode to curate a playlist based on their favorite artists and then save it on YouTube Music.
The update will come to users in the U.S. first of all, and Google said it will add support for more applications in the coming weeks and months.
Google already offers a similar capability with Gemini, which was launched earlier this year at Google I/O. It lets Gemini connect to apps including Canva, Instacart, OpenTable, Spark and others and complete tasks within the.
Though Gemini remains the focus of Google’s AI efforts, the company has been enhancing AI Mode continuously since launching it in early 2025. AI Mode is different from the standalone Gemini app. It’s an interface inside Google Search that relies on Gemini to deliver summaries and explanations based on user’s internet searches.
In a recent update, Google said AI Mode gained the ability to check whether an item is in stock in nearby stores. It also made it possible for users to explore the web side-by-side with AI Mode, so they can compare details on various websites and ask follow-up questions without losing the context of their initial search. Google also launched a “Personal Intelligence” feature in AI Mode, which enables it to search through people’s Gmail inboxes and Google Photos to generate more personalized responses to some searches.
Image: Google
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