On 28 October 2026, Google announced a preview of its Connected Apps Platform. Google's blog post describes it as "a unified way for more app developers to bring their capabilities directly into Gemini and Search." Connected apps already exist in both products. What is new is a route for outside developers to build, test and submit their own.

The announcement was written by Chips Mistry, Group Product Manager for Search, and Mai Lowe, Group Product Manager for the Gemini app.

What Google has announced

Outlets used different labels. TechCrunch called it both a "public preview" and a beta, and Android Authority referred to a "public beta waitlist". Google's blog post and developer page say only "preview".

Google's blog and developer page set out the route for developers:

  • Developers connect through a cloud-hosted MCP server, or through Android MCP using the AppFunctions APIs.
  • They then use the Google Connected Console to register, test and submit the app.
  • Before review, they choose whether the app goes live in Search, the Gemini app, or both.
  • Once an app is live, Google says developers can track traffic, latency and error rates, and keep control of their brand identity, including verified logos and authenticated accounts.

Google's developer page for the Connected Apps Platform says the preview phase offers self-service onboarding through Google Connected Console, covering tool registration, usage analysis and the review and publishing process. Developers can apply for the preview there.

Search Engine Journal, citing Google's developer documentation, adds detail on the two routes. It reports Google as saying the MCP-server route reaches Gemini and Search users on web, Android and iOS, while the Android MCP route reaches Gemini users on Android. Search Engine Journal also reports that Google reviews and tests each app before publication, and that an app Google cannot fully test may be rejected.

Who can join, and when

Google says it is "opening access in phases" and will "add more developers, markets, and Google products over the coming months." Its post does not name a country for the preview.

TechCrunch and Android Authority both report the preview as initially open to developers in the US. TechCrunch adds: "Google did not share when it would become more broadly available."

9to5Google reported that, until now, creating a connected app has required working closely with Google.

The policy on getting picked

Search Engine Journal reports on Google's Connected Apps policy, which governs how one app can try to get selected over another. According to that report, the policy bars apps from using "overly broad or deceptive capability descriptions" to influence the model into choosing one connected app over another. Search Engine Journal says the policy lets Google reject an app, suspend access to it, remove it, or suspend or terminate the developer's account.

The same outlet reports that the policy excludes ads and promotional material from other companies, while allowing an app's own brand information.

Which apps are live

Google says it has launched "more than 50 Connected Apps between Search and Gemini in areas ranging from productivity and event ticketing to health and fitness." That is Google's own count. Its blog says integrations with partners including Adobe, Experian, Localiza and Peloton are live in Gemini, and that "in the coming weeks" it will bring these apps to Search as well.

Google also said it would launch a new integration with Calm across both Search and Gemini. Android Authority noted that Google did not give a specific rollout timeline for it.

Android Authority lists the connected apps in Search before this announcement as Instacart, Canva, YouTube Music, Yahoo Fantasy Football and Sleeper Fantasy Football. Search Engine Journal gives the same five apps; TechCrunch names four of them, without Sleeper Fantasy Football, and adds "and others". Search Engine Journal says Search's connected apps work in AI Mode, in the United States and in English, citing Google's help page.

Reaction and framing

TechCrunch described the platform as a possible early step for businesses that want to be more visible to users on the "agentic web". That is TechCrunch's framing. Google's post does not use the phrase.

Where this leaves things

As of 28 October, this is a preview with sign-up, not a general release. Google's blog does not say how many outside developers have joined the preview.

The practical question for developers is how quickly access widens beyond the initial US group. Google's public wording on that is "phases" and "the coming months".

Sources

Android Authority (2026) 'Google opens the floodgates for more connected apps in Gemini and Search', Android Authority, 28 October 2026, available at: https://www.androidauthority.com/google-gemini-search-connected-apps-developer-platform-3729015/ (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

Google for Developers (n.d.) 'Connected Apps Platform', Google for Developers, available at: https://developers.google.com/connected-apps (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

Li, A. (2026) 'Google adding more Connected Apps to Gemini & Search with new dev platform', 9to5Google, 28 October 2026, available at: https://9to5google.com/2026/10/28/gemini-google-connected-apps-platform/ (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

Mistry, C. and Lowe, M. (2026) 'Build and manage Connected Apps in one place', Google, 28 October 2026, available at: https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/developers-tools/connected-apps-one-place/ (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

Perez, S. (2026) 'As AI agents reshape the web, Google opens Gemini and Search to more apps', TechCrunch, 28 October 2026, available at: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/28/as-ai-agents-reshape-the-web-google-opens-gemini-and-search-to-more-apps/ (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

Southern, M.G. (2026) 'Google Opens Connected Apps Preview For AI Mode & Gemini', Search Engine Journal, 31 October 2026, available at: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-connected-apps-preview-ai-mode-gemini/595268/ (Accessed: 2 November 2026).

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