Google has expanded access to Canvas in AI Mode to all users in the United States in English. The feature was first launched as part of its Google Labs experiments last year. Canvas in AI Mode is designed to help users organize and plan projects or delve into deeper research.
The company states the feature now supports the ability to draft documents or create custom tools directly within Google Search. Previously, Google suggested using Canvas for tasks like building a study guide by uploading class notes. The feature can also complete other tasks, such as turning a research report into a web page, quiz, or audio overview, which has some functional overlap with Google’s research tool Notebook LM.
Users can describe an idea to Canvas and watch as it generates the code to transform that idea into a shareable app or game. It can also be used to help refine creative writing drafts and get feedback on projects.
Canvas is already available in Gemini, where Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers have access to the latest model, Gemini 3, and a larger context window for more complex projects. More people will be exposed to Canvas now that it’s available to all users in the U.S. through Google’s AI search feature known as AI Mode, including those who haven’t yet used Gemini. Google’s reach with Search gives it the power to place products like Canvas in front of billions of users.
To use Canvas, users select the new Canvas option from the tool menu while in AI Mode and describe what they want to create. This opens a side panel where users can pull together information from the web and Google’s Knowledge Graph. If building a prototype or app, users can test the functionality, view the underlying code, and refine the app by chatting with Gemini.
Canvas competes with similar tools from rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, ChatGPT’s canvas feature is triggered automatically based on the user’s query, while Google and Anthropic’s Claude require more direct interaction. These competing tools also allow users to get help with writing or turn ideas into projects.