Planning a night out often means jumping between multiple apps and websites to secure tables, tickets, or appointments. Google’s newest AI Mode experiment in Search Labs is set to change that routine, offering a glimpse into an era where agentic booking could handle the legwork for you. Select users in the U.S. can now experience this feature, which blends discovery with action for restaurant, event, and wellness reservations from a good ol Google search.
What Makes Agentic Booking Stand Out?
With AI Mode, Google’s technology acts on your behalf, searching across a variety of platforms in real time to find the best options. Here’s how this changes the booking landscape:
- Multi-Site Searches: The AI scans several booking platforms simultaneously, aggregating choices for restaurants, events, and services.
- Personalized Queries: Users can specify details like party size, cuisine, location, price, or seating preferences. The AI returns results tailored to your needs.
- Direct Links to Book: No more endless comparisons, AI Mode provides direct links to providers’ booking pages, streamlining the reservation process.
- Up-to-Date Availability: Receive real-time information on time slots and ticket prices, saving valuable time and effort.
- Exclusive Access for Subscribers: While restaurant bookings are open to all eligible users, event and wellness bookings are currently available for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers only.
How Does It Work?
Simply ask the AI in plain language, like “Find a table for three this Friday after 6pm in Logan Square, preferably ramen or bibimbap.” The system quickly searches multiple booking sites and presents a concise list of available options.
For events or wellness appointments, subscribers can add specifics such as ticket price, seat type, or appointment preference, and the AI curates the best matches with booking links.
Getting Started: Who Can Use It?
- Must use a personal Google Account (not managed by organizations)
- Web & App Activity setting must be enabled
- Access is for eligible U.S. users (English, age 18+) in Search Labs
The rollout is phased, so access may not be immediate for everyone. Google plans to expand availability over time.
Why This Innovation Matters
Agentic booking isn’t just about convenience either. By automating the search and comparison process, Google’s AI Mode moves search from passive discovery to active assistance.
This could raise expectations for how users interact with search engines and for businesses, it means greater visibility and a smoother customer journey. Importantly, final bookings still occur on providers’ sites, so businesses keep direct relationships with their clients.
The Path Forward
This feature remains experimental, and Google is openly seeking user feedback to iron out issues and improve the experience. The broader implication is clear: Google aims to evolve search from a passive tool into an active agent, helping users not just find, but accomplish, their goals with unprecedented speed and convenience.
Takeaway
Google’s agentic booking rollout signals a shift toward more actionable, interactive search experiences. While currently limited, it paves the way for a future where AI does more than answer questions, it completes real-world tasks on your behalf freeing you to focus on other things in your life and family.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Google AI Mode’s Agentic Booking: Translating Search into Actions