Google Images unveils Pinterest-style redesign to boost discovery

Google Images is getting a major facelift, and the inspiration is clear: Pinterest. The tech giant has unveiled a redesign that transforms its long-standing image search engine into a dynamic, browsable gallery designed for exploration and discovery, not just quick lookups. To mark the 25th anniversary of Google Images, the company is also introducing a new capability that lets users generate AI images directly within Search, a move that keeps creators inside the Google ecosystem.

For years, Pinterest has dominated the space where users browse and save visual ideas for everything from home decor to fashion inspiration. Now, Google is essentially adopting that same playbook. The goal is to turn Google Images into a hub for continuous inspiration, encouraging users to linger longer. More time spent on Google’s platforms naturally translates into higher ad revenue potential, a key business incentive behind the shift.

But there is a strategic layer here as well. By embedding AI image generation into Search, Google hopes to capture users who might otherwise turn to third-party tools like ChatGPT when they cannot find exactly what they want online. Instead of leaving Google’s ecosystem, users will be able to create custom visuals on the spot.

Upon navigating to the redesigned Google Images, users will see a “For You” gallery that curates images based on their interests and browsing history. Much like Pinterest, this gallery is designed for endless scrolling, with Google promising that it updates in real time with fresh content. As users browse, they can save ideas into “collections” , these appear as tabs above the main photo gallery. Users might create collections for vacation outfit ideas, travel inspiration, or reading nook designs, all of which can be revisited later.

The redesign will roll out over the coming weeks on desktop in the U. S., initially in English. To try it, users need to be signed into a Google Account.

As for the image generation feature, Google explains it is meant for those moments when you have a highly specific concept that does not yet exist online. The feature will be integrated directly into AI Overviews on Search, using Google’s latest Nano Banana model to turn a text prompt into a custom visual. This tool can also help users reimagine spaces, such as visualizing a room painted red or a dorm room decorated with a coastal theme.

This image generation capability will begin rolling out over the coming weeks in English, available in all regions that currently support image creation in AI Mode.