Google launches Connected Apps Platform to unify Search and Gemini integrations

Do you want your service to appear inside Google Search and the Gemini chat without building two separate integrations? Until now, developers had to maintain distinct code paths, documentation and review processes for each product, which slowed rollout and added operational overhead. That friction kept many useful tools out of the everyday AI experiences users see every day.

Google’s answer is the Connected Apps Platform preview, a unified environment where a single codebase can be registered, tested and published to both Search and Gemini. By consolidating the workflow, the platform promises faster time‑to‑market and a consistent brand presence across Google’s high‑intent AI surfaces.

Source: Google Gemini Blog: Build and manage Connected Apps in one place ↗

In an official blog post on Oct 28, 2026, Google announced the preview of the Connected Apps Platform as “a unified way for more app developers to bring their capabilities directly into Gemini and Search.” The company highlighted that the platform lets developers build once and reach users across both products, reducing duplication of effort.

Technical details show developers can integrate via a cloud‑hosted MCP server or an Android MCP using the new AppFunctions APIs. After integration, the Google Connected Console handles registration, testing and submission, after which developers choose to launch in Search, Gemini, or both. Once live, the console provides traffic, latency and error metrics while protecting brand assets with verified logos and authenticated accounts.

Source: Google Gemini Blog: Build and manage Connected Apps in one place ↗

The platform is still in preview and access is being opened in phases. Google says it will add more developers, markets and products over the coming months, meaning not every developer can sign up today and the Search rollout will lag behind Gemini. Early adopters must also pass a review before their app can go live.

Because the offering is experimental, developers need to manage brand identity and monitor performance through the console, but they won’t yet have the full suite of analytics or monetization tools available in mature app stores. Additionally, only a curated set of partners—Adobe, Calm, Peloton, Experian, Localiza and others—are live at launch, so the ecosystem is still limited.

If you’re a developer interested in reaching Google’s AI‑driven audience, start by signing up for the preview at developers.google.com/connected‑apps and reviewing the documentation. Assess whether your service fits the high‑intent use cases highlighted by existing partners, then prototype with the AppFunctions APIs and submit through the Connected Console.

For end users, keep an eye on Search and the Gemini app for new Connected Apps from familiar brands like Adobe, Calm and Peloton. As more integrations roll out, you’ll be able to order groceries, manage fitness plans or edit PDFs without leaving the AI interface, turning everyday tasks into a single conversational flow.