Google Integrates "Nano Banana" AI Image Model into Search

Google has launched its latest AI image model, Nano Banana, integrating it into Google Search and NotebookLM. Previously, the model was only available in the Gemini app, where users could generate and edit images using text prompts. With this expansion, Google brings the same creative capabilities to two of its most widely used platforms, enabling users to create, modify, and visualize images directly within Search and NotebookLM. The rollout initially targets English-speaking users in the U.S. and India. At the same time, law enforcement agencies in India—one of Google’s largest user bases—have issued warnings about uploading personal photos cautiously and being wary of counterfeit Nano Banana editor apps, which could lead to fraud and data misuse.

Notably, Nano Banana—officially named Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model—debuted in August 2025 as part of the Gemini app. It quickly gained attention for its ability to generate detailed, coherent, and realistic images while preserving the main subject during edits. Since its release, the model has generated billions of images, becoming one of Google's most utilized creative AI systems.

Now, within Google Search, Nano Banana is integrated via Google Lens and a new "Create" mode. When users open Lens in the Google mobile app, they now have options to generate or modify images directly from the camera interface. This means users can take a photo or upload an existing image and then input a prompt to transform it. The tool can also create entirely new images from text prompts. This feature initially launches on mobile devices and will be available on both Android and iOS platforms.

Simultaneously, the integration with NotebookLM introduces Nano Banana into Google's AI-powered research and note-taking tool. NotebookLM, originally designed for summarizing and interpreting documents, now leverages Nano Banana to enhance understanding and presentation with visual elements. The update introduces video overviews—short animated summaries generated from users’ documents, now enriched with AI-generated illustrations. Users can choose from a range of visual styles such as watercolor, anime, paper craft, whiteboard, vintage print, and traditional art to match the tone of their summary. They can also select between two overview types—Explainer, which provides a detailed visual walkthrough, and Brief, which offers a concise summary with key visuals. These features will initially roll out to NotebookLM Pro users before expanding more broadly.