Introduction to AI-Powered Shopping
Google is rolling out new AI shopping updates across Search and the Gemini app. These updates introduce conversational shopping and agentic features that automate price tracking and local inventory checks. The updates are starting to roll out today in the United States.
What’s New
The new updates bring several exciting features to the table.
AI Mode Shopping Upgrade
AI Mode in Search now pairs Gemini models with Google’s Shopping Graph to handle conversational shopping queries. This means you can describe products in natural language instead of relying on keywords and filters. For example, you can ask questions like "What are the best wireless earbuds under $100?" and get relevant results.
Results are tailored to the type of query. Visual shopping questions display shoppable image grids, while product comparison queries generate side-by-side tables that highlight key factors like ingredients, texture, and reviewer insights. Google’s Shopping Graph includes over 50 billion product listings, with 2 billion listings updated every hour to reflect price changes, inventory, and new products.
Gemini App Shopping
The Gemini app is also gaining shopping features powered by the Shopping Graph. You can move from brainstorming to browsing real products by asking Gemini for product ideas within a budget. The app will show you listings, comparison tables, prices, and places to buy. This experience is available to Gemini app users in the United States who have consumer accounts and are 18 years of age or older.
Agentic Checkout
Google’s agentic checkout feature builds on its price-tracking tools. You can set detailed tracking rules and let Google handle the monitoring. When the price drops within your budget, Google will send you an alert. If the merchant is eligible, you can give Google permission to complete the purchase on the merchant’s site using Google Pay after you confirm the purchase and shipping details.
Agentic checkout is starting to roll out on Search, including in AI Mode, from eligible merchants in the U.S. such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify merchants, with more to come.
AI-Powered Local Business Calling
Google is introducing an AI calling feature that contacts local businesses to check product availability and pricing on your behalf. When you search for certain products "near me" on Search, you may see a "Let Google Call" option. After you answer a few questions about what you’re looking for and your budget, Google’s system calls nearby stores, asks questions, and then sends you a summary by email or text.
Why This Matters
For marketers and retailers, these updates change where and how shoppers make decisions. Conversational shopping in AI Mode can keep people inside Google’s product grids and comparison tables longer before they reach your site. This means clean product feeds and strong pricing data matter more. Agentic checkout could push more conversions through Google-mediated flows, which makes your inventory accuracy, promotions, and Google Pay support more important.
The AI-powered local calling feature may also influence store visits for businesses with reliable local inventory and complete business profiles.
Looking Ahead
Google plans to expand merchant participation in agentic checkout beyond the initial group of partners as more retailers support guest checkout and Google Pay. Local calling will start in a limited set of shopping categories and could extend to more products over time. For now, these AI shopping features are focused on U.S. shoppers using Search, AI Mode, and the Gemini app, with international availability and broader merchant eligibility still to be determined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google’s new AI shopping updates are revolutionizing the way we shop online. With conversational shopping, agentic checkout, and AI-powered local business calling, Google is making it easier for shoppers to find what they’re looking for and complete their purchases. As these features continue to roll out and expand, marketers and retailers will need to adapt to the changing landscape and optimize their strategies to take advantage of these new opportunities.