Google Revamps 25-Year-Old Search With AI Mini-Apps and Universal Cart
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 23
Google Revamps 25-Year-Old Search With AI Mini-Apps and Universal Cart
3 articles · Updated · CNN · May 23
Summary
Google said its biggest search overhaul in 25 years will let results generate custom visuals, interactive graphics and mini-apps directly on the search page, while adding a universal cart for items from multiple retailers.
The push reflects longer, harder queries: AI Mode searches have more than doubled every quarter since launch, average triple the length of regular searches, and photo- or screen-based searches are growing 60% year over year.
Semrush data suggests ChatGPT is reshaping behavior, with 11-word-plus Google searches rising to 5.37% from 3.27% and conversational queries jumping to 20% from 5%, though the median search still has three words.
Shopping is a key battleground as Adobe found traffic to US retail sites from AI services surged 393% in early 2026, with Google, Amazon, Meta and OpenAI all rolling out AI buying tools.
The shift deepens pressure on publishers and brands: Google says it still sends billions of clicks daily, but outside data shows AI summaries reduce link clicks even as remaining traffic can convert better.
Google’s AI agents can now manage your life tasks. What are the hidden privacy risks of this new convenience?
As AI ends the 'click,' how can web publishers survive in a world where Google provides the final answer?
With search traffic dropping 25% by 2026, is traditional Search Engine Optimization officially dead for businesses?
The Dawn of Agentic Search: How Google’s Gemini 3.5 Flash Redefines Search for a Billion Users
Overview
At Google I/O 2026, Google announced its biggest Search overhaul in 25 years, shifting from a simple keyword engine to an AI-first, agent-driven platform. This transformation is powered by the new Gemini 3.5 Flash AI model, now the default behind AI Mode. Driven by rapid AI advancements and rising user demand for more complex, conversational, and personalized interactions, Google’s new Search anticipates user needs, provides deeper insights, and helps users complete tasks directly within the search experience. The widespread adoption of AI Mode, now with over a billion monthly users, highlights the impact of this major change.