Google Tests AI-First Homepage Layout with Missing Search Button

Google is quietly testing a new layout for its homepage that puts artificial intelligence (AI) front and center. The company's traditional search button has been relegated to the sidelines, replaced by three AI-first buttons: Create images, Ask about files, and Brainstorm.

The new layout appears only when users type 'google.com' into their browser without logging in. Even then, not everyone is seeing it, as factors such as location, browser, and session seem to play a role.

These AI buttons allow users to upload documents or PDFs and ask questions about them or think out loud with Gemini, Google's chatbot. However, the 'Create images' button requires users to sign in before allowing access.

This shift towards AI ambitions is not new for Google, but it signals a change in priorities for the company. The move has sparked interest among tech enthusiasts and critics alike, who are wondering what this means for the future of search.