Google relaunched Google Images in July 2026 with a major redesign, replacing its minimalist search bar homepage with a dynamic, browseable gallery personalized based on user interests and search history [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The update coincides with the 25th anniversary of Google Images, originally launched in July 2001 after high user demand to see Jennifer Lopez’s green Versace dress from the 2000 Grammy Awards [1, 3, 4, 6]. Google noted, "People didn't just want to read about the dress — they wanted to see it." [4]
The new homepage lets users save images into collections. These collections appear as tabs above the main gallery for easier access and organization [2, 3, 4, 5]. Google also integrated an AI image generation feature into Google Search using its "Nano Banana" AI model. This allows users to create images from text prompts directly within AI Overviews in Search results [2, 3, 4, 5].
The redesigned Google Images features, including the personalized browseable gallery and AI image generation, will roll out over the coming weeks. The initial launch targets desktop users in the US using English and requires users to be logged into Google accounts [2, 3, 4, 5].
Over 25 years, Google Images evolved significantly, adding features such as Similar Images in 2009, Search by Image in 2011, Google Lens integration in 2018, and advanced AI visual search capabilities in 2024–2026 [6].
Google aims to complete the rollout of the new Google Images experience in the US in the next few weeks, expanding to more users thereafter [2].
