During the Google I/O 2026 keynote, the tech giant unveiled new agentic capabilities for Search, allowing users to create, customize, and manage multiple AI agents that keep them informed about topics they care about. This announcement is part of Google's broader push toward agentic AI systems—tools that can take initiative and assist with ongoing tasks, rather than simply answering one question at a time. Unlike traditional search tools that only respond when prompted, these information agents are designed to operate continuously in the background, 24/7, helping users stay updated on their interests without needing to manually search for the same information every day. Instead of delivering a list of links, the agents can synthesize information from multiple sources, explain why something matters, compare different perspectives, and provide actionable insights.

In many ways, these agents represent the next evolution of Google Alerts, the notification service launched in 2003. However, they go far beyond simple notifications. For example, someone following the stock market could create an information agent focused on specific companies, share prices, or economic trends. The agent could monitor market activity throughout the day, track breaking news, summarize earnings reports, alert users to major changes, and provide summaries with links for further exploration.

The agents can also assist with everyday tasks, such as tracking flight prices for upcoming trips, monitoring sports teams and live events, following breaking news, keeping tabs on housing or job market trends, and tracking weather or traffic conditions. To use the feature, users can open AI Mode in Search and enter a prompt, such as: "Keep me updated on nearby movie tickets for 'The Mandalorian and Grogu.'" When something relevant appears, the Google app sends a push notification. Users can also view their active tracked topics in their AI Mode history, where they can jump back in to manage, refine, or turn off an alert.

Information agents will be available this summer. The company is first rolling them out to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., with additional markets to follow later. In addition to these information agents, Google also introduced a major redesign of Search, including what it describes as a reimagined "intelligent search box"—the company's biggest change to Search in more than 25 years. The new interface is designed to support longer, more conversational queries. There's also a new AI-powered query suggestion system that goes beyond traditional autocomplete, helping users craft nuanced and context-aware searches.

Catch up on the rest of Google I/O 2026's big news: - Google Search as you know it is over - Google updates Gemini app to take on ChatGPT and Claude - Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 agent assistant with Gmail integration - How to use Google's new information agents