Google Images gets a makeover for its 25th anniversary

Google has updated its Images experience to mark 25 years since the visual search service launched. The redesign introduces more personalised image results, improved access to saved content and new artificial intelligence tools for creating images directly within Search.

Although the updated interface remains similar to the existing design, Google says image results will be “updated in real time” and “intelligently tailored to your unique interests”. The changes are intended to help users discover relevant visual content and return more easily to images they previously saved.

Google updates image discovery and saved collections

The redesigned Google Images experience places greater emphasis on personal interests and ongoing discovery. Rather than showing the same general selection of results to every user, the updated system aims to adjust the content displayed based on individual interests and activity.

Google says the results will be refreshed in real time, allowing the image gallery to respond more quickly as users explore different subjects. The company has not provided detailed information about how personal interests will influence the results, but the changes are designed to make image searches feel more relevant to each user.

The option to save images to collections will remain available. Users can select an image, open the three-dot menu above it and choose the save option. A Google account is required to use the feature and access saved collections.

Once images have been added, saved topics will appear as tabs above the main gallery. This will allow users to return to previous searches and continue exploring similar images without having to start again. The updated layout is intended to make saved content easier to find while keeping it connected to the wider image discovery experience.

Google has also changed the Saved page by adding separate tabs for collections and all saved image results. Users will be able to move quickly between organised collections and a broader view of their stored images.

The more personalised Google Images results page will begin rolling out on desktop in the United States in English over the coming weeks. Google has not announced when the redesigned experience will become available in additional countries or languages.

AI image creation expands within Google Search

Alongside the Google Images redesign, the company is expanding its artificial intelligence image-generation tools. Users will soon be able to create images from written prompts without leaving the Google Search results page.

Google is adding its Nano Banana AI image generator to AI Overviews. The integration will allow users to enter an image description and generate visual content directly in Search, rather than opening a separate AI tool or service.

The feature is expected to become available over the coming weeks in regions where image creation is already supported through AI Mode. Availability may vary depending on location, language and access to Google’s AI-powered Search features.

The addition reflects Google’s wider effort to integrate generative AI into its search products. AI Overviews already uses artificial intelligence to provide summaries and responses for some searches. Adding image generation expands the feature beyond written information, allowing users to create new visual content from text instructions.

Google has not provided further details about possible limits on image generation or whether all users will receive access at the same time. The company is expected to introduce the feature gradually as part of its continuing expansion of AI tools across Search.

The growing presence of AI-generated material may not appeal to every user. People who prefer a more traditional search experience may choose to limit or avoid AI-powered results where available. However, Google continues to position generative AI as an important part of the future of online search and content discovery.

Jennifer Lopez’s Versace dress inspired Google Images

As part of the anniversary announcement, Google revisited the event that helped inspire the creation of Google Images. The company traced the service’s origins to the widespread public interest in the green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the 42nd Grammy Awards in February 2000.

The dress quickly became one of the most popular search topics at the time. However, Google’s search engine mainly displayed text links, making it difficult for users to find the visual content they wanted.

“People didn’t just want to read about the dress — they wanted to see it,” Google said.

The surge in searches highlighted the need for a dedicated way to find pictures online. Google responded by developing an image-focused search experience that could display visual results together in one place. Google Images officially launched in July 2001.

Since then, the service has become a major part of Google Search and has expanded to include features such as image previews, visual search tools and saved collections. Advances in artificial intelligence have also changed how images can be identified, recommended and created.

The latest redesign builds on that history by combining traditional image search with personalised recommendations and generative AI. While the appearance of Google Images remains familiar, the company is shifting towards a more tailored experience that responds to individual interests and supports the creation of new visual content.