Google has started rolling out its new AI-powered shopping features in the US, following the announcement at Google I/O. The initiative aims to make online shopping faster and smarter, particularly during the busy holiday season. The rollout will begin over the coming weeks, giving shoppers access to intelligent tools for selecting and purchasing gifts.
The core feature, AI Mode for Shopping, allows users to ask complex questions such as which toy is best for an 8-year-old who loves robots. The AI provides detailed recommendations, comparison tables, and decision-making guides, drawing data from Google’s Shopping Graph with billions of products across thousands of stores. Google notes that AI results may occasionally have minor errors.
Advertising will appear in AI Mode similar to normal search results to support the platform’s economy. In contrast, Google’s Gemini app shopping experience will remain ad-free, offering a cleaner experience.
Another standout feature is agentic checkout, which allows users to set a desired price. When a product hits that price, Google notifies the user, who can approve an automatic purchase via Google Pay. Currently, this feature supports select stores, including Chewy, Wayfair, and Shopify merchants, streamlining a seamless shopping experience.
Google Duplex also makes a return, upgraded with Gemini models. Duplex can now call stores on behalf of users to check stock availability, initially for toys, cosmetics, and electronics. The AI politely identifies itself and reports results back via text or email.
These new tools clearly indicate Google’s push to make AI shopping a central part of the holiday experience, helping consumers save time while finding the perfect gifts.
