Google App Now Features Direct AI Mode History Button Replacing Labs, Fueling Search AI Adoption
AI Mode History Button Replaces Google Labs in Search App
The evolution of Google’s flagship Search application is moving visibly into the era of generative AI, marked by a significant, tactical user interface (UI) shift observed during early testing phases. According to initial reports gathered by @glenngabe on Feb 11, 2026 · 7:15 PM UTC, a new, dedicated button for accessing AI Mode history has materialized within the Google app interface.
Direct Observation from Testing
This significant UI change was first brought to light by user Damien (@AndellDam) who was participating in early access or testing protocols for the app. His direct observation confirmed that the new entry point appears prominently, suggesting a top-down prioritization of generative search capabilities over older experimental features. This immediate visibility is key to understanding Google's aggressive posture regarding AI adoption.
Mimicking Familiar Territory
Crucially, the placement of this new AI history button is not arbitrary. It has reportedly slotted directly into the physical location previously occupied by the long-standing Google Labs toggle. This substitution is perhaps the most symbolic aspect of the change; where users once looked for experimental features broadly, they now find a direct pipeline to the history of their interactions with Google’s most advanced conversational and generative AI tools.
User Interface Shift Signals Deeper AI Integration
The physical relocation of this feature signals more than just a cosmetic update; it represents a structural commitment to funneling user traffic toward AI interactions. The new button is situated strategically to capture immediate attention upon opening the application, altering the core user journey through the Search hub.
Prominent Placement and Access Flow
The new button now resides at the very top of the Google app, immediately preceding the familiar Discover feed that typically dominates the screen real estate below the main search bar. This positioning ensures it is one of the first interactive elements a user registers. Tapping this button bypasses intermediate menus, offering direct access to the AI Mode search history interface. This reduction in click-depth drastically lowers the barrier to reviewing or re-engaging with past AI queries.
Functionality: The AI History Gateway
The button functions as a high-speed conduit to the user's personalized record of interactions within the dedicated AI Mode. While the primary search bar remains the entry point for new queries, this button acts as a persistent reminder and easy recall mechanism for conversational threads. This contrasts sharply with how experimental features were often tucked away in prior iterations.
Implications for Workflow and Engagement
This aggressive placement is engineered to maximize engagement metrics for generative search. By making AI history instantly accessible, Google encourages users to perceive their AI sessions not as fleeting interactions but as ongoing, traceable projects. This structural change anticipates and supports a shift in user workflow where generative answers become as integrated into daily information gathering as traditional blue-link searches.
Strategic Move to Drive AI Adoption Metrics
The decision to swap out the Labs toggle for a dedicated AI history button appears to be a highly calculated strategic move aimed squarely at boosting adoption rates for generative search features.
Streamlining the Path to Generative Search
Google Labs, while a historical incubator for innovation, often housed features that were niche, experimental, or sometimes confusing to the average user. By removing this potentially ambiguous gateway, Google simplifies the primary user pathways: direct search, Discover feed, and now, direct AI interaction history. This streamlining removes friction and focuses user intention directly onto the core generative product.
| Previous Entry Point | Current Entry Point | Strategic Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Google Labs Toggle | AI Mode History Button | Prioritizing traceable, measurable AI usage over general experimentation. |
| Hidden/Experimental Access | Top-of-Screen, Primary Access | Forcing awareness and normalizing interaction with conversational AI. |
This move effectively declares that AI interaction history is now a foundational component of the Google application experience, essential enough to warrant prime real estate previously reserved for testing new paradigms.
Community and Expert Reaction
The discovery quickly circulated within tech and journalism circles, generating immediate conversation about the pace of Google’s AI rollout strategy.
The initial sharing of this specific UI modification by @AndellDam has prompted immediate outreach to industry watchers and analysts. Prominent figures such as @gaganghotra_ and @rustybrick have been tagged, inviting them to scrutinize the change and confirm its broader rollout, signaling that this observed UI adjustment is being treated as a significant indicator of future search functionality. The focus now shifts to how quickly this feature will propagate beyond initial testing groups.
This report is based on the digital updates shared on X. We've synthesized the core insights to keep you ahead of the marketing curve.