Google Images is undergoing a major redesign to transform it into a browsable, dynamic gallery of images, similar to Pinterest. The update, which is rolling out over the coming weeks on desktop in the U.S. in English, aims to increase user engagement by turning the platform into a space for discovery and inspiration rather than just search. According to Google, the redesign is part of its effort to keep users within its ecosystem, especially when they cannot find the image they are looking for or want to visualize something new. The change is expected to boost ad revenue by increasing the time users spend on Google platforms.
The new 'For You' gallery will show images tailored to users’ interests and browsing history, updating in real time with new content. Users can save ideas to their 'collections,' which appear as tabs above the main gallery. These collections can include topics like vacation outfit ideas, travel inspiration, and ways to design a reading nook, allowing users to revisit their saved ideas later. To access the redesign, users must be signed into a Google Account, the company said.
Google is also introducing a feature that allows users to generate images directly in Search using its latest Nano Banana model. This feature is intended for moments when users have a highly specific idea for an image that does not already exist online. It will be available in AI Overviews on Search and can help users reimagine spaces and visualize ideas, such as seeing what a room might look like painted red or what a dorm room with a coastal theme could look like. Image generation in AI Overviews will start rolling out over the coming weeks in English for all regions that currently support image creation in AI Mode.
Source: techcrunch
