A new plus button has appeared in Google Search that allows users to upload images and documents for AI-powered analysis via Google AI Mode. Google has not published an official blog post about the button, but it says the change has now fully rolled out to the Google Search homepage on desktop for US users in English. The plus button will come to all users where AI mode is available later this week. 

Uploading an image or document allows you to use Google AI Mode, where Gemini breaks down the content, allowing queries to be asked about it. For example, if you upload instructions for a model kit, you can ask where to buy certain parts online. If you upload an image of a guitar, you can ask what pickups are used.

"You can now upload images or PDFs directly to the Google Search bar on desktop and ask questions about them in AI Mode," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. "It's another step in making it easier for you to ask anything, any way."

The enhanced AI features come to Google Search as the company has made a full pivot to AI in the midst of ongoing competition from ChatGPT maker OpenAI. While the two AI players have been trading blows in terms of features, the recent release of Gemini 3 reportedly put OpenAI in a "code red" position. As a result, OpenAI released its GPT-5.2 model to remain competitive.

The size of Google gives the company an edge. It can simply offer more features per dollar than OpenAI, including terabytes of additional storage in Google Drive for subscribers, along with massive context windows when using its AI tool Gemini.

Gemini 3 was also trained on Google's own Tensor Processing Unit chips, rather than Nvidia chips. This means the company is not reliant on a third-party chip maker and can still make highly performant AI models. Already, some observers are saying that Google has effectively pulled ahead in the AI race.