Google Introduces AI Shopping Tools Across Search, Gemini
Google introduces new AI shopping tools across Search and Gemini, helping users compare products, find deals, and get personalized recommendations.
Google is introducing a suite of AI-powered shopping enhancements across its Search platform and the Gemini app, aiming to simplify product discovery and automate purchasing steps. These features debut today in the United States, offering a more natural, conversational approach to shopping online.
AI-Driven Shopping in Search
The upgraded AI Mode in Google Search now integrates Gemini models with the expansive Shopping Graph. This allows shoppers to use natural language rather than keywords or filters to describe what they want.
According to Vidhya Srinivasan, Google’s Vice President and General Manager of Ads & Commerce, users submit queries that are 23 times longer than typical searches, reflecting deeper conversational engagement.
Results dynamically match query types visual questions produce interactive image grids, while product comparisons generate detailed side-by-side charts featuring attributes like ingredients, texture, and user reviews.
The responses tap into a massive database of over 50 billion product listings on Google’s Shopping Graph, updating two billion listings every hour to reflect real-time pricing, stock, and product availability.
Gemini App’s New Shopping Capabilities
The Gemini app also taps into the Shopping Graph, bridging the gap from idea generation to concrete product exploration. Users can request product suggestions within budget limits and browse listings, comparison data, price points, and purchase options directly.
This feature is available to U.S. users aged 18 and older with consumer accounts.
Automated Price Tracking and Purchase: Agentic Checkout
Google introduces agentic checkout, a refined feature that extends its price-tracking tools with automation. Shoppers can set precise parameters for a product and receive alerts when prices drop within their specified budget.
If merchants qualify, Google will even complete the purchase through Google Pay after user confirmation of shipping details.
This seamless checkout process relies on Google’s Shopping Graph and payments infrastructure, ensuring secure transactions and accurate product information.
Rolling out initially from selected U.S. merchants like Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and various Shopify sellers, agentic checkout is integrated with AI Mode Search and will expand to more partners.
AI-Powered Local Business Interaction
The new AI calling feature uses Google Duplex technology enhanced by Gemini to interact directly with local stores. When searching for products “near me,” shoppers might see a “Let Google Call” button, enabling Google to inquire about availability and pricing on their behalf.
After providing basic product preferences and budget details, Google’s system contacts nearby retailers, asks relevant questions, and then sends a summary via email or text.
Vidhya Srinivasan emphasized:
“We are trying to be mindful of how merchants experience features in terms of making sure we don’t call it too often, having a very clear idea about exactly what to ask and things of that nature.”
Implications for Retailers and Marketers
These AI-driven updates are shifting the retail landscape, influencing how and where consumers make buying decisions.
The conversational AI shopping experience encourages users to explore Google’s product grids and comparison tables more extensively, highlighting the importance of maintaining accurate product feeds and competitive pricing.
Agentic checkout could funnel more purchases through Google’s ecosystem, making inventory precision and integration with Google Pay critical.
Similarly, AI-powered local calling may drive in-store visits for businesses with up-to-date local inventory and comprehensive profiles.
Future Outlook
Google plans to broaden the scope of agentic checkout by onboarding more retailers supporting Google Pay and guest checkout.
The local calling feature will initially cover a limited range of product categories but is expected to expand.
Bottom Line
For now, these sophisticated AI shopping services focus on American consumers using Google Search, AI Mode, and the Gemini app. Wider merchant participation and international availability are anticipated but not yet announced.
