Google AI Mode now integrates with Instacart, Canva, and YouTube for task completion

Google announced on Thursday that its AI Mode conversational search experience now allows users to link and interact with select third-party apps, including Instacart, Canva, and YouTube, expanding the feature beyond answering questions into completing tasks. This update, rolling out to users in the United States, aims to make AI Mode a more versatile tool for planning, shopping, and creative projects, while also positioning Google to better compete with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, which already support app integrations.

How the new app integrations work in AI Mode

With this update, users can connect their accounts for supported apps directly within AI Mode. For example, if a user is planning a barbecue and uses AI Mode to generate a grocery list, they can link their Instacart account to add ingredients directly to their shopping cart and proceed to checkout on the Instacart app or website. Similarly, for design tasks like creating a flyer, users can ask Canva to display a selection of templates. Another example includes curating a playlist for a party and saving it instantly to YouTube Music. Google is working with a range of partners and plans to add support for more apps soon, though it has not specified which ones or a timeline.

Context and competitive landscape

This announcement builds on a capability Google introduced earlier this year at Google I/O, which allowed users to connect third-party apps to the Gemini app for faster task completion. Supported apps at that time included Canva, OpenTable, Spark, and Instacart. Since AI Mode launched in early 2025, Google has been steadily adding features, such as checking product availability at nearby stores, exploring the web side-by-side with AI Mode for comparison, and integrating personal data from Gmail and Google Photos for individualized responses. The move is widely seen as an effort to keep pace with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has offered plugin integrations since 2023, and Anthropic’s Claude, which supports tool use for tasks like data analysis and web browsing.

Why this matters for users and the industry

For consumers, this update reduces friction between searching and acting, potentially making AI Mode a central hub for daily tasks. For Google, it represents a strategic shift from a pure information retrieval tool to an action-oriented assistant, which could increase user engagement and time spent within the ecosystem. However, it also raises questions about data privacy and reliance on third-party services, as users must grant permissions for app connections. The expansion of AI Mode’s capabilities underscores the broader industry trend toward conversational AI that not only answers questions but also executes real-world tasks, intensifying competition among major tech players.

Conclusion

Google’s integration of apps like Instacart, Canva, and YouTube into AI Mode marks a significant step in evolving its search product into a more proactive assistant. While still in early stages, this rollout signals Google’s commitment to making AI Mode a daily utility for planning and shopping, while also challenging rivals in the conversational AI space. Users in the U.S. can start using the feature now, with more app support expected in the coming months.

FAQs

Q1: Which apps are currently supported in Google AI Mode?
As of the announcement, supported apps include Instacart, Canva, and YouTube. Google plans to add more partners soon but has not disclosed specific names or dates.

Q2: Is this feature available outside the United States?
No, the update is currently rolling out to users in the U.S. only. Google has not announced an international expansion timeline.

Q3: How does this differ from the Gemini app integrations announced earlier?
The earlier integration at Google I/O allowed users to connect apps to the Gemini app for task completion. This new update brings similar functionality directly into AI Mode, which is Google’s conversational search experience, making it more accessible within the search interface.