Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
The verdict on

Google

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

While the Google app remains a widely used tool for quick answers and general searches, recent updates and the prominent integration of AI have led to significant user frustration regarding privacy, search quality, and app stability.

4.6★ lifetime (4,794,442) Free to download since 2019 by Google LLC updated 0.1 mo ago recent negative 35% 120 reviews across 4 regions
AI Integration Privacy & Ads Performance & Stability Search Quality Missing/Removed Features
5★506
4★56
3★54
2★34
1★300
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

The Google app is praised by many for its speed and ability to provide quick answers to a wide range of questions, making it a go-to search engine for daily use R8R10R50. However, recent reviews highlight growing dissatisfaction with privacy concerns, intrusive ads, and the perceived degradation of search quality due to AI integration, leading to a notable negative shift in user sentiment R1R6R16R111.

What users like

  • Provides fast and reliable search results for various queriesR8R10R13R50
  • Helpful for finding information like business hours, reviews, and directionsR51R2
  • Offers a broad ecosystem of integrated services like Gmail and MapsR50
  • Many users find it easy and convenient to use for everyday tasksR25R53

What users complain about

  • Frequent privacy concerns and data tracking, including location and search history for targeted adsR1R42R74R111
  • AI features are often buggy, unresponsive, provide irrelevant or overly detailed answers, and can give unwanted spoilersR6R28R38R468
  • App experiences freezing, lagging, and slow loading times, even on newer devicesR226R250R274R275
  • Excessive and intrusive ads, including sponsored results and pop-ups that disrupt readingR9R12R170R344
  • Search quality has degraded, with difficulty finding specific information and a push towards video/social content or sales-oriented resultsR7R16R328R97
  • Removal of useful features like 'Read Aloud' functionality after updatesR17R18R62
  • Difficulty managing account settings, history, and frequent prompts to sign in or download other Google appsR110R269R277R31
  • Unwanted notifications and alerts, particularly for sports events, are pushed to usersR712

Latest update · v428.4

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

• Bug fixes and performance improvements. We are always working to make the app faster and more stable. If you are enjoying the app, please consider leaving a review or rating!

Recurring themes

AI Integration negative
Many users are highly dissatisfied with the new AI features, finding them buggy, unhelpful, and intrusive. They report the AI providing irrelevant, overly detailed, or incorrect answers, interrupting conversations, and even giving unwanted spoilers. Some users feel the AI is forced upon them and prefer the traditional search experience. The developer's notes mention 'bug fixes and performance improvements,' but recent reviews directly contradict this for AI functionality.R6R11R28R38
Privacy & Ads negative
A significant number of reviews express strong concerns about privacy, data tracking, and the overwhelming presence of ads. Users dislike personal information being collected, location tracking, and search history being used for targeted advertising. They also report an increase in intrusive ads, sponsored results, and pop-ups that hinder the user experience. Some users feel Google's practices are 'scummy' and violate their privacy.R1R42R74R106
Performance & Stability negative
Despite developer notes claiming 'bug fixes and performance improvements,' many recent reviews report issues with the app's performance. Users frequently experience freezing, lagging, slow loading times for searches and websites, and crashes, even on newer iPhone models. Some mention having to restart the app multiple times for it to work correctly.R226R250R274R275
Search Quality negative
Users report a decline in the quality of search results, finding it harder to locate specific information. Complaints include irrelevant results, a disproportionate push towards video and social content, and a feeling that searches are now more geared towards sales or definitive 'best' answers rather than providing a range of options. Some feel that useful search tools have been removed.R7R16R38R97
Missing/Removed Features negative
Several users are frustrated by the removal of previously available and valued features, most notably the 'Read Aloud' option. Others mention the disappearance of favorite search links or difficulties with managing their news feed, which now refreshes constantly.R17R18R62R291

Who it's for

This app is for users who prioritize quick access to general information and appreciate a broad ecosystem of integrated Google services R50R51. It's suitable for those who don't mind extensive data tracking and targeted advertising, or who are willing to navigate around the AI features. Users who value privacy, a clean ad-free experience, or consistent app performance should skip this app R1R74R111.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew significantly negative, with a strong focus on issues related to AI, privacy, and app performance. While there are positive reviews, they are fewer and often less detailed, making it challenging to balance the overall sentiment. The developer's release notes mention 'bug fixes and performance improvements,' but this is directly contradicted by numerous user reports of ongoing bugs, freezing, and slow performance.

Frequently asked

Does the Google app track my personal information?
Yes, many users report that the Google app tracks personal information, location, and search history, which is then used for targeted advertising and suggestions R1R42R74R111.
Are there many ads in the Google app?
Yes, numerous users complain about an excessive amount of ads, including sponsored results, pop-ups, and ads that interrupt reading or viewing content R9R12R170R344.
Has the AI feature improved the search experience?
No, many recent reviews indicate that the AI feature has not improved the search experience; users report it is often buggy, unresponsive, provides irrelevant or overly detailed answers, and can even give unwanted spoilers R6R28R38R468.
Does the app have performance issues like freezing or lagging?
Yes, many users report that the app frequently freezes, lags, and experiences slow loading times for searches and websites, even on newer devices R226R250R274R275.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] 4/5 · US good: great app. fast amd reliable. Does everything I need
  2. [R10] 5/5 · US Chiquilla loca: Me encanta Google por que Encuentro Respuestas Rápidas🥰
  3. [R13] 5/5 · US It answers any question: 5/5
  4. [R50] 5/5 · US Google: The Ultimate Digital Companion: Google has become an essential part of everyday life. Its search engine is fast, accurate, and easy to use, making it simple to find information within seconds. Beyond search, Google offers an impressive ecosystem of services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Translate, all of which integrate seamlessly across devices. The
  5. [R51] 5/5 · US Google You’re All I Need and More: Google app is always there when I need it. I appreciate all the suggestions when I’m googling places to eat, hike, or, visit. I can find hours of operations for businesses, check reviews, and so much more. Google is my fave search engine. Bing is subpar!
  6. [R2] 1/5 · US New features buggy: It does not sent me to the right Directions, now is offering all the time to add a stop on a shopping mal/store/gas station
  7. [R25] 5/5 · US Fácil: Fácil, práctico y a un clic
  8. [R53] 5/5 · US Google: I love love it it so so helpful! Thank you!
  9. [R1] 2/5 · US Google way: I can’t stand how difficult you make it to sign in and then steal all available information about me you can get your T1000 hands on. Its just absurd and completely violating
  10. [R42] 3/5 · US It’s Just Okay!: I prefer a different search engine that doesn’t change the screen if you leave it and come back to it. I also prefer one that doesn’t track your information or location. I also don’t like having suggestions based on something that I looked up because I wasn’t sure what it was.
  11. [R74] 1/5 · US DONT TRUST THEM: You shouldn’t trust them because they take your data when you search just use a browser like brave or Firefox and make your search engine DuckDuckGo
  12. [R111] 3/5 · US Too many ads, privacy cookies and sales of personal data.: Way too much! People forget there are other, safer ways to search. Anytime I google something, it ends up in ads and emails with an hour. Not everyone wants a Gmail account.
  13. [R6] 1/5 · US Your AI sucks: Do you ever find yourself with a question racking your brain that you just have to talk out and do you ever find yourself while talking desperately desiring for the AI you’re talking to to just mute you and stop listening delete the whole conversation you were having and start from the ground up if that’s the case, then Google AI is for you outside of a two sentence question you’ll
  14. [R28] 1/5 · US I’m so done with their stupid AI mode: You can’t even search up an image and have text without it, dragging you to the AI mode and then Google becomes unresponsive the hallucinations the AI have make it useless I never find anything useful on Google it’s not even a good company because they do shady stuff I don’t recommend downloading and they’re going to try to hide this
  15. [R38] 2/5 · US AI style limits answers: The AI function now just kind of tells you a definitive answer, or product that is “best”. But if you feed it more info it tells you another “best” answer. Why doesn’t it just show the options in the 1st place? It feels targeted to sales. It also doesn’t feel like I am getting a real search function for my options.
  16. [R468] 3/5 · CA Spoilers for shows: I search Google about TV shows and anime all the time because I just want simple answers to questions I have while watching. The problem is that Google’s AI keeps giving me major spoilers that I never asked for. I’m honestly tired of it. I recently found out that Ace dies in One Piece right when I was starting to really like his character, and that completely ruined part of the
  17. [R226] 3/5 · US Freezing Issue: This app freezes up on me every other time I use it so I have to close it out and restart it. It does this still after getting the newest iPhone
  18. [R250] 3/5 · US Ehhhh: When you open websites they’re a bit laggy…
  19. [R274] 3/5 · GB It’s good but one tiny problem: Google is great for trying to find the things you want to discover or search up. But there seems to be a recurring problem that it takes Google three or four attempts just to load searches. It always says that the website has even been permanently moved to a different website or you haven’t got Internet connection. I do have Internet connection and I think this is a
  20. [R275] 3/5 · GB Why this is terrible: It is so slow and will not work well when it is raining and windy. It should be updated now! Thanks for listening to me and I hope you are considering this as important.
  21. [R9] 1/5 · US Ad: AD LITERALLY SHOWS THAT ITS USED FOR CHEATING LIKE WHAT THE HECKY
  22. [R12] 1/5 · US I swear the skip button on ad: Make the skip button on ads bigger
  23. [R170] 3/5 · US Ok: So like I like google but I don’t love it because I feel like a lot of adds pop up, even though I already have the app which I don’t like that s ok I wish they could fix that
  24. [R344] 3/5 · GB Too many adverts: There is some interesting stuff pop up on google for me, I have no idea how or why, but many of the links are so full of adverts it’s almost unreadable. Advertisers know this: If I see you in my face unwanted I will never buy any of your products, ever!
  25. [R7] 1/5 · US Google is not smart.: Google is not smart. Here’s why. First of all, I typed “fossils for sale under one dollar” but it didn’t show photos Just boring Images of dinosaur fossil toys but I wanted real fossils not those replica skulls. Secondly, I typed “America’s 250th anniversary coin books” but it again didn’t work. I need a book to put in my mercury dime, dime, penny, Indian head cent, v nickel
  26. [R16] 1/5 · US Big yikes: I have used google for ages but it’s truly garbage now. Major bummer. Can’t find anything from searching and they’ve taken away search tools. Truly wild to me they’d ruin their whole thing.
  27. [R328] 3/5 · GB Degraded, Hides Results, Pushes Paid Results Only: Google search is a shadow of what it was even 2 years ago. In supposed personalising it literally hides results you would want to see. It ignores profile location and country, pushing US results and sites, recipes, social accounts, everything despite my UK account. This used to work well. It pushes video and social content at all costs even if
  28. [R97] 1/5 · US AI Slop: I used google both personally and professionally for years, but it’s now useless as both a search engine and a browser. The results are all shipping and AI slop. I’ve removed it from all devices and switched to other services and am happy with my internet experience again.
  29. [R17] 1/5 · US Update removed read aloud: After the update there is not read aloud option
  30. [R18] 4/5 · US Mất chức năng đọc to văn bản hoặc báo chí: Khôi phục chức năng đọc to văn bản, báo chí để dễ sử dụng
  31. [R62] 1/5 · US Where is the Read Aloud button??: Where is the Read Aloud button??
  32. [R110] 3/5 · US Nightstick291: Don’t like that I have to sign in all the time,and you have emails in 3 locations. Important , All mail,& regular email. I only want 1 place for my emails.
  33. [R269] 3/5 · GB Google issues: Always ask to sign into stuff I only want to use google , why does it always ask for my email, phone no etc
  34. [R277] 3/5 · GB Still too much…: Unwanted and not needed rubbish pushed in the direction of users! Default download includes much of the rubbish - delete all of it when you set up! Also immense patience will be required when / if you’re trying to find the way to log out of your Google account! It can be done, but they make it as difficult as possible to keep the subscriber numbers up for Ad revenues!
  35. [R31] 1/5 · US Managing History: Too many issues trying to delete and manage your history.
  36. [R712] 3/5 · AU Stay in your lane: App decided without prompting to put an alert on my lock screen about a World Cup match about to start. App got deleted. I’m not risking you telling me results before I’m able to watch matches. The job is to answer search queries when I make them, NOT to make your own guesses with AI about what I want to know. Especially when it comes to sport.
  37. [R11] 5/5 · US What did you do: Fix it, stop being so greedy and demanding. Not everyone needs the new AI still very comfortable with the old and I don’t know what you did, but you know the settings are messed up and you need to fix it seriously like today would be nice..
  38. [R106] 1/5 · US No me gusta: Me cae mal google por que no deja ver las noticias siempre pone las cookies
  39. [R291] 3/5 · GB No favourite links on Google any more: Until a few days ago, my favourite searches appeared every time I opened the app. They have now disappeared and I have to put the favourite link in every time I want to search. Why has this happened?

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store