Google Opens Connected Apps Platform Preview
Google has opened a preview of its Connected Apps Platform, allowing developers to apply for access to run their apps inside AI Mode in Search and Gemini. This move may expand the capabilities of Google's AI-powered search features.
Original reporting · searchenginejournal.com
Original: “Google Opens Connected Apps Preview For AI Mode & Gemini via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern”
Read “Google Opens Connected Apps Preview For AI Mode & Gemini via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern” at Search Engine Journal →
How this was written. Content Catalyst wrote this article with a language model from Search Engine Journal’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from Search Engine Journal’s report
- Google has opened a public preview of its Connected Apps Platform, allowing developers to apply for access.
- The platform has guidelines for developers to get their apps approved, including selecting a category and identifying minimum capabilities.
- Google plans to add more developers, geographic markets, and Google products in the next few months.
Google has launched a public preview of its Connected Apps Platform, according to Search Engine Journal. Developers can now apply for access, and approved apps can run inside AI Mode in Search and the Gemini app. The platform was announced on October 28.
Google's Connected Apps policy outlines the guidelines for developers to get their apps approved, including selecting a category and identifying minimum capabilities. The policy also prohibits apps from deceiving or influencing the model into performing adverse actions.
The registration process for developers occurs via the Google Connected Console, where they can select a category and capabilities for their app. Google reviews and tests each app before it can be published, and may reject apps that cannot be fully tested.
Google's MCP server guide recommends clear instructions for AI models to recognize when to delegate tasks to a server. The guide also states that apps must not include ads or promotional materials from other companies within the integration.
Users can specify a different app to be included with their request when using AI Mode, and can submit a general search query to choose from a list of available applications. The apps listed on the Google help page include Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music.
Google has launched over 50 connected apps across Search and Gemini, and plans to add more developers, geographic markets, and Google products in the next few months. The coming weeks will see apps from partner companies become available on Search, as well as a new integration with Calm.
Questions and answers
How do developers get their apps into Search and Gemini?
Developers can connect their application to the platform via a remote MCP server or through AppFunctions, and register via the Google Connected Console.
What are the guidelines for getting an app approved?
The app must not deceive or influence the model into performing adverse actions, and must not include ads or promotional materials from other companies within the integration.
What happens next for the Connected Apps Platform?
Google plans to add more developers, geographic markets, and Google products in the next few months, and will see apps from partner companies become available on Search.
