What changed
Google has launched its Connected Apps Platform, allowing businesses and developers to connect their apps to its AI experiences across Search and Gemini. This platform enables users to securely link and interact with third-party services, using them to perform specific actions. For example, users could connect to Canva to design a flyer or to YouTube Music to build a playlist.
What this means in practice
The platform allows developers to build and submit apps that can be used across Google’s products. Developers can integrate with a cloud-hosted MCP (Model Context Protocol) server or Android MCP using the AppFunctions APIs, then use the Google Connected Console to register, test, and submit their app. Developers can choose whether their app is available via Search, the Gemini app, or both. Once live, they can track traffic, latency, and error rates, and maintain control over their brand identity, such as verified logos and authenticated accounts.
Limitations and availability
The platform preview is currently available in beta to U.S. developers who sign up for the waitlist. Google did not share when it would become more broadly available. The Connected Apps platform is part of Google’s effort to increase visibility for its services on the agentic web, similar to how SEO allows companies to show search engine rankings. Google already has over 50 Connected Apps available in Gemini, including from partners like Adobe, Experian, Localiza, Peloton, and others, in addition to its own services like Workplace and YouTube Music. These apps will now come to Google Search over the next few weeks.
