Google's AI can now buy items on your behalf
What's the story
Google has unveiled a series of AI-powered enhancements to its shopping features, making online shopping even more convenient. The tech giant has improved the AI Mode in Search, allowing users to describe their desired products in a conversational tone. For instance, if you search for "cozy sweaters for happy hour in warm autumn colors," Google will provide shoppable images, prices, reviews, and stock information of the suggested items.
App update
Gemini app gets AI shopping suggestions
The improvements also extend to the Gemini app, with Google's AI chatbot now able to suggest items for your shopping list. Users can specify their needs, like practical gifts for students or Black Friday sale ideas. The Gemini will then generate a list of suggested products that can be purchased directly within the app.
Call feature
AI can call stores on your behalf
Google's AI can now call stores and ask questions on your behalf. This feature is especially beneficial for people with disabilities or social anxiety. When you search for specific products "near me," Google will offer the option to "let Google call" nearby stores. The tech giant will then ask a few questions about what you're looking for, make the call, and send the answers via email or text.
Purchase feature
AI shopping assistant can make purchases
Google has also started rolling out an agentic AI checkout feature, which it first showcased at Google I/O in May. This tool lets users have Google's AI shopping agent track a product's availability and notify them when its price drops below a certain threshold. Users can customize these alerts to monitor specific product variations by size, color, and quantity. Notably, Google can even buy the item for you using Google Pay after getting your confirmation on purchase and shipping details.
Availability
AI shopping features available in the US
The new AI-powered shopping features are available across Google Search and AI Mode, but only in the US for now. The feature works with select vendors such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify stores. Google's updates come amid a legal battle between Amazon and Perplexity over similar AI shopping technology.