A small group of users is seeing new options under the Google search box, including create images, ask about files, and brainstorm. The company says these buttons are designed to highlight AI-powered features and do not affect core search functionality.
Google has begun testing a set of new buttons directly beneath the main search box on its homepage, aiming to draw more attention to its AI-powered search features. The experimental buttons-labeled create images, ask about files, and brainstorm-are currently visible to a limited number of desktop users. When clicked, each button launches Google’s AI Mode, offering users a streamlined way to access advanced search capabilities.
The test was first noticed by industry observers and quickly confirmed by Google. Robby Stein, Google’s VP of Product, addressed the update on X, stating, “This is a small test on desktop to help people find new things they can do with Search.” He emphasized that the addition does not alter the core search experience: “No impact to how the core search box works - just add your question and hit enter as usual (which is how most people search anyways!).”
Visually, the new buttons appear just below the search field, grouped under a plus sign on the left side. The options-create images, ask about files, and brainstorm-are designed to encourage users to explore AI-driven tools that may otherwise go unnoticed. Google’s move comes as the company continues to expand its suite of generative AI features within Search, seeking to boost engagement and awareness among everyday users.
Industry analysts note that if these buttons are rolled out more broadly, they could significantly influence how users interact with Google’s AI Mode. The company’s approach mirrors a broader trend in search, where platforms are surfacing new capabilities directly on their homepages to drive adoption. For context, recent regulatory scrutiny has also shaped Google’s product decisions, as seen when European authorities ruled on the company’s search practices. For more on how regulatory actions are impacting Google’s strategy, see this analysis of the EU’s competition ruling: how European regulators are forcing changes to Google’s search results.
Some users have reported that, after years of ignoring the “I’m feeling lucky” button, they may be similarly conditioned to overlook these new additions. However, Google appears intent on making its AI features more discoverable, potentially reshaping user habits over time.
Founded in 1998, Google remains the world’s dominant search engine, processing over 8.5 billion searches per day as of 2026. The company has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, with its AI-powered search features now reaching hundreds of millions of users globally. Google’s ongoing experiments with homepage design reflect its efforts to maintain user engagement and adapt to evolving search behaviors in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
