GoKawiilEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR Google seems to be testing a new layout for its Search homepage.
The updated layout removes the Google Search button, replacing it with three shortcuts to AI features.
It’s unclear how widespread this test is.
Update: August 11, 2026 (5:20 AM ET): Robby Stein, VP, Google Search, confirmed in a post on X that it is indeed being tested with a small number of users. The button changes, however, do not affect core search functionality, i.e., it still surfaces regular Google search results when you press Enter or Return on the keyboard.
X / Robby Stein
Original article: August 10, 2026 (10:17 AM ET): Google’s always looking for more ways to nudge users toward its AI features, and this week, the company’s testing another AI-focused tweak to Search. Some users are seeing a redesign of the Google Search homepage that replaces the classic Google Search button with a bunch of shortcuts to AI features.
As reported by Search Engine Watch, some users are seeing a version of the Search page that replaces the Google Search button with three AI feature buttons: Create images, Ask about files, and Brainstorm.
Per the report, this new layout is showing up for some users when accessing Google’s homepage without signing in. Clicking Create images presents a handful of suggestions for types of images to generate using Nano Banana. Ask about files lets users upload files and, well, ask questions about them, which Google’s AI will try to answer. Brainstorm with me seems to be a way to start an exchange with Google’s AI about any topic. This updated layout retains the legacy I’m Feeling Lucky button.
Here’s a screenshot of the updated layout from Search Engine Watch, followed by a screenshot of the existing version that I’m still seeing:
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