Google has opened a public preview of its Connected Apps Platform, which allows company-approved applications to function within search’s AI Mode and within the Gemini app. Developers can request access.
Google announced the platform on October 28. Robby Stein, Vice President of Product for Google Search, stated in a post on X that the company had just “opened the public preview.” In July, the arrival of connected apps to AI Mode had already been mentioned, without Google specifying how an app could be added to the list of those to which AI Mode can delegate a task. The documentation for developers now details this procedure, as well as the rules governing the selection of one app over another.
How developers integrate their applications
The developer connects their app to the platform either via a remote MCP server or via AppFunctions, which Google calls “Android MCP.” MCP, for Model Context Protocol, refers to the open communication protocol used by AI models to work with external tools. According to Google, an MCP server gives access to Gemini and web search users on Android and iOS, while the Android MCP route only gives access to Gemini users on Android.
Registration is done via the Google Connected Console. For each application, the developer chooses a category, which sets the minimum capabilities the app must offer. According to the “Prerequisites” page, this choice cannot be changed after registration. They must also indicate at least three capabilities, displayed to users before they decide to connect the app. The console finally asks in which countries, in which languages, and in which Google products each app should be available. Google reviews and tests each application before its publication. For apps that require a login, developers must provide Google with test accounts containing sample data, and the company states that an app it cannot fully test may be rejected.
Rules to be chosen
Google’s Connected Apps policy prohibits an app from referencing other tools or setting rules on when those tools should be used. It also prohibits “deceiving or influencing the model to adopt harmful behavior or action, ” for example by using overly broad or misleading capability descriptions to push it to choose one connected app over another. The MCP server guide specifies that models rely on the server’s instructions “to recognize when to delegate tasks” to it, and recommends clear instructions for requests to be properly routed.
The policy excludes advertisements and promotional content from other companies within the integration, while apps can present their own brand identity. In case of violation, Google may reject the app, suspend its access, remove it from the platform, or suspend or even terminate the developer’s account. On the user side, according to the Google Search help page, AI Mode may default to the last app used to complete a task. Users can choose another for their query, or launch a general search and then select an app from the list provided.
What is available today
Connected apps are now available in Search, in AI Mode, in the United States and in English. The Google help page cites Instacart, Canva, YouTube Music, Yahoo Fantasy Football, and Sleeper Fantasy Football. Google states it has launched over 50 connected apps in Search and Gemini and, according to its blog post, developers will be able to view traffic, latency, and error rates once their app is live. In the coming months, more developers, geographic markets, and Google products are to be added. In the coming weeks, apps from partners already present in Gemini, including Adobe, Experian, Localiza, and Peloton, are also set to arrive in Search, and a new integration with Calm is planned for Search and Gemini. John Mueller, Search Advocate at Google Search, wrote in a comment on LinkedIn that he was excited about connected apps as a search platform, while deeming the topic “still extremely early.” He clarified that he does not work on this product.
