On Thursday, Google rolled out a major update allowing users to connect and use favorite third-party services directly within “AI Mode,” its interactive search assistant. The initial roll-out includes integrations with YouTube, Canva, and Instacart.
This update shifts AI Mode’s role from a simple informational search tool to an action-oriented assistant capable of managing tasks inside everyday applications. By bridging these platforms, Google aims to position AI Mode as a primary hub for planning and shopping. The expansion also strengthens Google’s position against competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, which already offer third-party app integrations.
To demonstrate the feature, Google showed how a user organizing a cookout could use AI Mode to generate a grocery list, then instantly sync their Instacart account to populate their cart with those items, completing the purchase on Instacart’s app or site.
Similarly, users seeking creative inspiration for flyers or other projects can prompt Canva directly within the chat to generate template options. For music lovers, AI Mode can now generate a custom party playlist and immediately transfer it to YouTube Music.
Currently, this feature is launching for users located in the United States. Google has indicated that it is collaborating with various developers to introduce more integrations in the near future.
This new functionality expands upon a feature introduced during the Google I/O conference earlier this year, which allowed third-party services – such as Spark, OpenTable, Canva, and Instacart – to link with the Gemini app for accelerated task completion.
Google has steadily upgraded AI Mode since debuting the platform in early 2025. Recent updates include a feature that detects real-time inventory at local retail shops, as well as a side-by-side web browsing experience that lets users cross-reference live search results and ask context-aware follow-up questions.
Additionally, Google integrated “Personal Intelligence” into AI Mode earlier this year, granting the assistant secure access to Gmail and Google Photos to deliver highly customized, relevant answers.
