Nano Banana 2.1 lands in Google AI Mode in Search
Google has released Nano Banana 2.1, its newest image generation and editing model, and it is already live inside AI Mode in Google Search. The company says the model beats its predecessors across the board, with the biggest gains in visual design, mask-based editing and subject consistency.
Robby Stein, Google's VP of Product in Search, confirmed the rollout on X, saying users can open the Google app and tap the banana icon under the search box to start creating. The button sits directly beneath the search field, putting image generation one tap from the query bar.
Nano Banana first appeared in Google Lens a year ago, then reached AI Mode last December and AI Overviews in July. AI Mode now runs version 2.1, while AI Overviews appear to still be on an earlier version.
For brands, the change matters less as an image tool and more as another sign that AI Mode is becoming a surface where Google generates content, not just answers. Marketing teams tracking how their products and visuals appear in AI responses should watch whether generated images start carrying brand references or product depictions.
Reported by Search Engine Roundtable ↗
Topics: AI Mode, Google Search, AI Overviews