Google Search Enhances AI Mode with Expanded Booking and Travel Planning Capabilities
Google has expanded the functionality of its AI Mode, introducing new booking capabilities and travel planning features. These enhancements are designed to streamline user access to information and facilitate a more efficient decision-making process.
Restaurant reservations, previously available as an opt-in feature via the Labs program, are now rolling out to all users in the United States. This feature, powered by AI, leverages partnerships with platforms such as OpenTable, Resy, and Tock, among others. Users can specify their requirements and preferences, and AI Mode will search multiple platforms to identify real-time availability and present a curated list of options. The platform also offers agentic booking capabilities for events tickets and beauty and wellness appointments within the US via Labs, and restaurant reservations can be booked directly through AI Mode. Future developments include the integration of hotel and flight booking services.
Simultaneously, the Flight Deals tool is expanding its global availability, now accessible in over 200 countries. Initially launched in August in the United States, Canada, and India, Flight Deals utilizes AI to analyze user-defined travel parameters (destination, dates, and preferences) and identify competitive pricing options, assisting users with flexible travel schedules in finding favorable deals.
Furthermore, AI Mode’s Canvas feature has been enhanced to facilitate customized travel planning. By providing details about travel preferences, users can generate a “Create Canvas” option. This feature consolidates real-time data for flights and hotels, integrates photos and reviews from Google Maps, and aggregates relevant information from various web sources. Canvas provides suggestions tailored to user criteria, including hotel comparisons based on pricing and amenities, and recommendations for restaurants and activities, optimizing for travel time from accommodations. Users can interact with the system through follow-up questions and leverage AI Mode’s history feature for easy navigation. Travel planning with Canvas is currently available on desktop within the US, accessible through the AI Mode experiment in Labs.
