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MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Google has announced the most extensive redesign of its search engine since the company was founded 25 years ago, unveiling the changes during its Google I/O 2026 keynote. The overhaul replaces the traditional list-of-links format with an AI-native interface that embeds generative tools throughout the experience, with the Gemini 3.5 Flash model now serving as the default engine for all AI-powered search interactions. Instead of presenting a simple AI-generated summary at the top of the page, the new layout integrates conversational responses, contextual guidance and task-specific tools directly into the results, marking a decisive shift away from the classic search box model that has defined Google since the late 1990s. The redesign introduces interactive results that allow users to engage with AI-generated content, refine answers and explore follow-up questions without leaving the search environment. Google has also deployed autonomous agents that can continuously scan the web on behalf of users, carrying out complex, multi-step research tasks that previously demanded extensive manual browsing. These agents function as always-on assistants, supporting more detailed and specialized queries. Google says AI Mode, a central feature of the new interface, has already surpassed one billion monthly users, while AI Overviews, which place AI-written summaries at the top of search results, now reach 2.5 billion users amid record-high search query volumes.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.