Google shuts down Project Mariner web task assistant

In short: Google has shut down Project Mariner, an experiment that could complete tasks for you across the web.

What happened

Google ended Project Mariner on May 4, 2026, according to a message now shown on the project’s landing page. The message thanks users and says the technology has moved into other Google products.

Project Mariner was an “agent” style tool, meaning it was designed to take actions on your behalf, a bit like a helper who can click through websites and follow steps for you (for example, searching, filling in forms, or organizing information). Google first revealed Project Mariner in December 2024.

Google later said Project Mariner could handle up to 10 tasks at once. Over the past year, Google has also been adding parts of Mariner into other AI features, including Gemini Agent, which can do things like archive emails or help book a hotel. Google has also put similar capabilities into AI Mode, its AI-powered version of search.

Earlier this year, Google also showed an “auto-browse” feature for Chrome that can complete multi-step tasks, like researching flight prices. Google has not said if auto-browse uses Project Mariner technology.

Google did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment. The Verge notes Google I/O, the company’s yearly product event, starts May 19.

Why it matters

For regular people, this is a sign that Google is shifting from stand-alone experiments to building these task-doing features into tools people already use, like Gmail, Search, and Chrome. If you tried Project Mariner, you will need to look for similar options inside Gemini Agent or AI Mode instead.

Source: The Verge AI