Google Search Labs Adds AI Agent Features
▼ Summary
– Google Search Labs has launched an experimental agentic feature in AI Mode for US users to help with restaurant reservations and soon local services and event tickets.
– This feature is available to US users 18+ who are signed into a personal Google Account with Web & App Activity enabled and opted into Google Search Labs.
– AI Mode searches multiple platforms for real-time availability based on specific user requests like location, cuisine, or group size and provides a curated list of options.
– Users are linked directly to booking pages to finalize reservations, reducing the effort required to complete tasks.
– This development indicates Google’s direction to enable users to accomplish tasks directly within Search, potentially impacting how clients and websites interact with search results.
Google Search Labs has introduced a new experimental feature that brings agentic capabilities to AI Mode, enabling users to complete tasks like booking restaurant reservations directly within the search interface. This development marks a significant step toward making Google Search a more interactive and action-oriented platform. Currently available to users in the United States, the feature requires individuals to be signed into a personal Google Account with Web & App Activity enabled to access the full functionality.
The initial rollout focuses on helping people find and secure dinner reservations, with plans to expand into scheduling local service appointments and purchasing event tickets in the near future. According to Google, this agentic functionality scours multiple reservation systems and websites to identify real-time availability based on specific user requests. For instance, you can ask the AI to “find me a dinner reservation for 3 people this Friday after 6pm around Logan square,” mentioning a preference for ramen or bibimbap, and it will return a curated list of available options.
Robby Stein, Vice President of Product at Google Search, announced on social media that expanded access is now live for all U.S.-based users who have opted into Search Labs. The system not only compiles suitable choices but also directs users straight to the booking page, streamlining the entire process from search to confirmation.
This advancement provides a clear indication of Google’s strategic direction with AI-powered search. The company aims to keep users within its ecosystem by allowing them to accomplish real-world tasks without navigating away to third-party sites. As these agentic experiences grow to include services like scheduling car maintenance or buying tickets for sports events, the way people use search engines will fundamentally change.
Businesses and website owners should consider how this shift might affect their online visibility and customer engagement strategies. With Google handling more transactions directly, maintaining a strong presence and ensuring compatibility with these emerging features becomes increasingly important for staying competitive in search results.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
