Google opens Connected Apps Platform to bring more third-party apps into Search and Gemini

Google on October 28 launched a preview of its Connected Apps Platform, a unified way for developers to bring their apps and services into Google Search and the Gemini app, the company said in a blog post. Connected apps let users complete tasks such as ordering groceries or building playlists through Google's AI experiences without opening each app separately.

Developers integrate with a cloud-hosted MCP (Model Context Protocol) server or with Android MCP using the AppFunctions APIs, then use the new Google Connected Console to register, test and submit their app. They choose whether it goes live in Search, Gemini or both, and once live can track traffic, latency and error rates while keeping control of brand elements such as verified logos and authenticated accounts.

Google says it has launched more than 50 connected apps across Search and Gemini. Integrations from Adobe, Experian, Localiza and Peloton are live in Gemini and will come to Search in the coming weeks, and meditation app Calm will launch on both. The preview is open to US developers via a waitlist, and Google said it will add more developers, markets and products over the coming months without giving a date for broader availability.

TechCrunch noted that rivals including ChatGPT and Meta are pursuing similar integrations, which could shift users away from launching individual apps toward reaching services through their preferred AI assistant. Much as SEO helped businesses surface in search rankings, the outlet said, the platform may be an early step for companies seeking visibility on the agentic web.

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Sources: Google, TechCrunch, The Verge. Image: Google