Editorial illustration for Testing Google’s Auto Browse AI in Chrome: the results fell short
Chrome's Auto Browse AI: Hands-Free Browsing Tested
Testing Google’s Auto Browse AI in Chrome: the results fell short
Testing Google’s new “Auto Browse” feature in Chrome promised a hands‑free way to tackle everyday web tasks. The idea—an AI agent that clicks, scrolls and fills forms on your behalf—has been teased in product demos, yet few have seen it run on a real browser session. In this benchmark, the author set the agent loose on the list of chores Google itself suggested, hoping to gauge whether the tool could actually streamline personal errands.
What emerged was a mix of modest successes and glaring gaps: the AI could open a page, but often stalled on navigation, misread prompts, or required constant human nudging. The experiment underscores a broader point about generative‑AI assistants: they may look slick on paper, but practical reliability still lags behind expectations. Below, the tester reflects on the hands‑on experience, noting the importance of keeping a skeptical eye whenever we hand over control to these systems.
When I was finally able to experiment with Auto Browse (for real this time) I took Google's suggestions of digital chores as my starting point and picked online tasks that could be helpful in my own life. Whenever interacting with generative AI tools, a healthy sense of skepticism--and caution--is c
When I was finally able to experiment with Auto Browse (for real this time) I took Google's suggestions of digital chores as my starting point and picked online tasks that could be helpful in my own life. Whenever interacting with generative AI tools, a healthy sense of skepticism--and caution--is critical. Google even includes a disclaimer baked into its Gemini chatbot reminding users that it makes mistakes.
The Auto Browse tool goes a step further. "Use Gemini carefully and take control if needed," reads persistent text that shows in the chatbot sidebar every time Auto Browse is running.
Did the Auto Browse agent deliver? In practice, it opened tabs and clicked, yet the flow felt clumsy. The author watched the bot tap away, noting a palpable loss of control, a pre‑emptive nostalgia for the current, imperfect web.
While the AI followed Google’s suggested chores, it struggled to complete them smoothly, often needing manual correction. Because the experiments were grounded in personal tasks, the shortcomings were evident in real‑world relevance. And yet, the tool's able to locate information, albeit with extra steps.
The experience underscores a healthy sense of skepticism that the author carries when testing generative AI. Though the feature shows promise, its ability to seamlessly replace human navigation remains uncertain. Moreover, Google’s broader aim to reshape the browsing experience is still largely unproven, as the test revealed gaps between intention and execution.
In short, the Auto Browse trial highlighted both the potential and the current limitations of handing over routine clicks to an AI assistant.
Further Reading
- Google says Chrome's new 'auto browse' feature is 'a powerful agentic experience that handles multi-step chores on your behalf' - PC Gamer
- Google Chrome Gets Agentic Auto Browse Feature with Gemini 3 - ResultSense
- Chrome auto-browse: How to use Gemini's new AI agent feature - Eesel AI
- Google Rolls Out AI Agent Within Chrome - What This Means - MediaNama
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Common Questions Answered
What exactly is Google's new 'Auto Browse' feature in Chrome?
Auto Browse is an AI agent within Chrome that can autonomously navigate web pages, click buttons, scroll, and attempt to complete multi-step tasks without direct human intervention. It is part of Google's Gemini AI integration in Chrome, available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers with some operational limitations.
How does the Gemini AI interact with Chrome's new side panel?
The new side panel allows Gemini to remain accessible while users work in their primary browser tab, enabling multitasking across different tasks and web services. Users can perform activities like comparing product reviews, summarizing information, and accessing integrated Google services like Gmail, Calendar, and Google Flights directly from the panel.
What additional capabilities does Gemini in Chrome now offer?
Gemini in Chrome can now access and edit images using Nano Banana without downloading, integrate with multiple Google services, and provide a split-screen or sidepanel view for easier interaction. The AI can also handle complex workflows like booking travel, drafting emails, and referencing contextual information across different Google platforms.