Google expands AI Search, shopping, and content verification tools

Google has announced a major set of AI updates across Search, shopping, payments, and content verification.

The updates were shared at Google I/O 2026 and cover several Google products, including Search, Gemini, YouTube, Gmail, Chrome, Pixel, Google Wallet, and Google Cloud. The changes focus on how users discover products, complete purchases, manage tasks, and verify digital content.

Google updates AI Mode in Search

Google is upgrading AI Mode in Search with Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model globally.

The company said AI Mode has reached more than one billion monthly users one year after launch. Google also said AI Mode queries have more than doubled every quarter since launch.

Search is also getting a redesigned search box that expands as users type more detailed questions. The new search box will support different inputs, including text, images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs.

Google said the search box will also provide AI-powered suggestions beyond traditional autocomplete. The feature is rolling out in countries and languages where AI Mode is available.

Users will also be able to ask follow-up questions from AI Overviews and continue the journey inside AI Mode. Google said the context will carry into the conversation, while links and supporting articles will remain part of the Search experience.

Search gets agents and booking features

Google is adding information agents to Search for users who want to monitor specific topics, products, or requirements.

These agents can scan web sources and Google’s real-time data, including finance, shopping, and sports information. Users will be able to set specific requirements for an agent to track, such as listings or product updates.

Information agents will first launch for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer.

Google is also expanding agentic booking in Search for local experiences and services. Users will be able to enter their requirements, and Search will return pricing and availability. The results will include links that allow users to complete bookings through providers.

In selected categories, users will also be able to ask Google to call businesses on their behalf. These categories include home repair, beauty, and pet care. The feature is expected to roll out in the US this summer.

Search will also support generative user interfaces. This means Search will be able to create custom layouts with visuals, tables, graphs, simulations, dashboards, and trackers.

Universal Cart connects shopping across Google products

Google also introduced Universal Cart, a shopping feature designed to work across Google services.

Users will be able to add products to their cart while using Search, Gemini, YouTube, or Gmail. Once products are added, Gemini models can monitor them for price drops, price history, stock alerts, and deals across merchants.

Universal Cart is built on Google Wallet. It can account for payment method benefits, loyalty details, and merchant offers during checkout.

Google said the cart can also flag product compatibility issues, such as PC components from different retailers that may not work together.

Checkout will be supported through the Universal Commerce Protocol, also known as UCP. Google described UCP as a common language for agent-based commerce.

Shoppers will be able to check out with Google Pay across participating brands, or move items to a merchant’s website to complete the purchase.

Google said brands will remain the merchant of record. Universal Cart will roll out across Search and the Gemini app in the US this summer, with YouTube and Gmail support coming later.

Google introduces Agent Payments Protocol

Google also announced plans to bring its Agent Payments Protocol, or AP2, into its products.

AP2 is designed to support payments made by AI agents, while keeping the user in control. Users can set rules such as the brand, product, and spending limit before an agent completes a purchase.

Google said AP2 creates a verifiable link between the user, merchant, and payment processor. The protocol also creates digital mandates that record the user’s instructions to the agent.

This gives users, merchants, and payment providers a shared record for purchases and returns.

AP2 will start appearing in Google products in the coming months, beginning with Gemini Spark.

Google expands content verification tools

Google is also expanding content transparency tools across Search, Gemini, Chrome, and Pixel. The company is also adding an AI content detection API on Google Cloud.

These tools are designed to help users and businesses identify whether content was created or edited using AI.

Google said its SynthID watermarking technology has already been used to watermark more than 100 billion images and videos, as well as 60,000 years of audio.

SynthID adds signals into AI-generated content that can later be checked by supported tools.

Google is also using C2PA Content Credentials across several generative media tools. Content Credentials provide information about how media was created or modified, including whether AI tools were involved.

Google said Pixel 10 was the first smartphone to provide Content Credentials for images in its native camera app. The company said it will expand the feature to video on Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 phones in the coming weeks.

SynthID verification is also being added to Search and will come to Chrome in the coming weeks. Users will be able to check images for SynthID markers through Lens, AI Mode, Circle to Search, and Gemini in Chrome.

Google Cloud adds AI content detection

Google is launching an AI Content Detection API on Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform.

The API is designed to help businesses identify AI-generated media created by Google models and other popular AI models.

Google said the tool can support backend operations such as feed sorting and insurance fraud checks. It can also support user-facing use cases such as fact-checking and synthetic media labelling.

The API is launching first with trusted partners.

Google also said OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs are bringing SynthID technology to more AI-generated content. The company has also open-sourced its SynthID text watermarking technology.

Why this matters

Google’s latest updates show how quickly AI is becoming part of search, shopping, payments, and content verification.

For consumers, this could mean more personalised search results, easier shopping journeys, and clearer signals about whether content was created or edited with AI.

For brands and publishers, the updates could affect how products are discovered, how transactions happen, and how digital content is verified across Google’s ecosystem.