Google tests AI-first homepage redesign, removes classic Search button for some users

Google is testing Search without the 'Google Search' button

The updated layout removes the Google Search button, replacing it with three shortcuts to AI features. 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: With the old Google Search button gone, the Search homepage makes no explicit reference to searching the web, instead focusing solely on AI functionality. You should still be able to perform a regular search by entering text into the search bar and pressing the Enter or Return key on your keyboard, however. We don't know how widespread this test is. I'm not seeing the updated layout Search Engine Watch spotted today, regardless of which browser I use, which country my VPN is set to, or whether or not I'm signed into a Google account. What do you think of the updated Search layout? Are you seeing it on your end yet? Let us know in the comments.

Google is testing an AI-first homepage, and the Search button is reportedly taking a back seat

A quietly spotted redesign shows Google testing life without its own Search button. For years, the Search button has been an integral part of the Google Search experience. However, right now, typing "google.com" into a browser is reportedly bringing up a new simplified layout that doesn't include the Search button anymore (for a select group of signed-out users). It appears that the search giant is testing a new, AI-first layout with three dedicated buttons, which are new for traditional Google Search users, but familiar for those who use the Gemini chatbot on a regular basis. What exactly did Google swap in? Search Engine Watch first spotted the change and confirmed it independently across three different web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, and Comet (via Android Authority). The redesigned homepage drops the classic Google Search button. Recommended Videos It seems to feature three new AI-first buttons: Create images, Ask about files, and Brainstorm. These sit right under the horizontal search bar. The AI Mode button still remains inside the search box itself. The "I am feeling lucky" button seems to have survived the design. What's even more interesting is that the Ask about files and Brainstorm reportedly work without logging in at all. The buttons apparently let users upload a document or a PDF and ask questions about it or think out loud with Gemini. Creating images is the one holdout, which is gated behind a sign-in wall, likely because Google wants a verified account attached before it burns through compute money on Nano Banana generations. Is this actually rolling out, or just a test? Here's the catch. The report mentions this new layout only shows for logged-out visitors. Even then, not everyone's seeing it. Factors like location, browser, and session all seem to matter. Google hasn't confirmed the scope of change as well. Here's how I see this, though. This isn't something that's worth ignoring. Google has spent decades defending the simplicity and functionality of its homepage. However, quietly relegating "Search" behind AI-first buttons, or at least testing it, tells us about the company's priorities. While I won't ask you to expect the classic layout's days to be numbered, I can't deny Google's recent push toward its AI ambitions. For now, the layout appears to be a part of an A/B test being shown to a small number of users.