Google is rolling out new AI-powered shopping tools in time for Black Friday, designed to help users find exactly what they want at the best possible price. The updates leverage both Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, and its AI-enabled search features, creating a more personalized and efficient shopping experience.
Conversational Shopping: Asking for What You Need
The first set of features, called “conversational shopping,” allows users to ask Gemini or AI Mode in Search for product recommendations based on their specific needs. Instead of generic searches, you can describe exactly what you’re looking for, and the AI will respond with tailored suggestions.
For example, you can ask for “a winter moisturizer for dry skin” and receive a list of options. The AI can then organize these products into a comparison chart, highlighting key ingredients and features. This eliminates the need to sift through endless product pages.
Agentic Shopping: Automating Price Tracking and Purchases
Google’s “agentic” shopping features take automation a step further. Users can now instruct Gemini to track prices on desired items and automatically make a purchase when the price drops to a set threshold. This will launch initially with Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify merchants.
This feature builds on existing price tracking tools, but now removes the need for manual intervention. The AI handles the entire process, ensuring you get the best deal without constant monitoring.
Local Shopping with Duplex AI
For in-store purchases, Google is deploying its Duplex AI technology to call local businesses on your behalf. In a demo, Google showed Duplex calling music stores to find a guitar within a specific price range. The AI can engage in a natural conversation with store employees, gather information, and then summarize the findings in an email.
This solves the problem of time-consuming price checks across multiple local stores, offering convenience that was previously unavailable.
The impact: These AI-driven shopping tools represent a significant shift in how consumers will shop during peak seasons like Black Friday. By automating research, price tracking, and even purchases, Google aims to streamline the entire process, making it faster and more efficient. The integration of Duplex for local shopping further expands the capabilities of AI in real-world commerce.
