In a major pre-festive season move, Google has unveiled a comprehensive suite of artificial intelligence and agentic capabilities designed to transform the online and in-store shopping experience. Announced on Friday, these updates empower Search, the Gemini app, and new automated tools to perform tasks like calling local shops, comparing products, and even completing purchases on a user's behalf.
Conversational Shopping Arrives in Google Search
Google's most significant update lands in the AI Mode within Search. Shoppers can now describe what they are looking for using natural, everyday language. The AI system then generates a highly organized response that consolidates product visuals, prices, user reviews, and real-time stock details into a single, easy-to-view interface.
For those seeking inspiration, the tool offers image-based suggestions. When comparing specific items, users are presented with a structured table highlighting crucial details like product texture, finish, and key insights from reviews. This powerful functionality is driven by Google's massive Shopping Graph, which continuously tracks over fifty billion product listings and refreshes millions of them every hour.
Gemini App Gets Smarter and Agentic AI Makes Calls
The shopping intelligence is also being extended to the Gemini app for users in the United States. This integration allows people to ask for personalized gift ideas, create shopping lists, or compare different products seamlessly within the chat interface, eliminating the need to switch between multiple browser tabs. The app can display shoppable product cards, show price comparisons across retailers, and provide direct purchase links.
In a move that bridges the digital and physical retail worlds, Google is introducing an agentic feature that can actually call nearby stores. When a user searches for a product "near me", they may see an option for Google to check its availability and current pricing automatically.
This system leverages the advanced Duplex technology, supported by larger Gemini models, to determine which stores to contact, formulate appropriate questions, and provide a summarized response. Shoppers receive the results via email or text message, accompanied by relevant local inventory data from the Shopping Graph. This feature is beginning its rollout in the U.S. for popular categories like electronics, toys, and beauty products.
Automated Checkout and The Big Picture
Further simplifying the purchase journey, Google is introducing an agentic checkout option linked to its price tracking tool. Users can specify the exact item, including its size, colour, and their spending limit. They will then receive an alert when the product's price drops within their budget.
For eligible merchants, Google can then complete the purchase automatically using Google Pay, but only after the buyer provides final confirmation. This checkout feature is starting to appear in Search, including AI Mode, for selected U.S. retailers such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and participating Shopify sellers.
According to Google, this wide-ranging set of features is aimed at reducing the friction and repetitive tasks commonly associated with holiday and festive shopping. These tasks include sifting through endless product lists, constantly monitoring fluctuating prices, and manually calling stores to check stock. The updates are rolling out gradually in the United States, with expansions to more regions and retailers expected in the future.
