Introduction to AI Mode
In recent months, Google has promised to inject generative AI into the online shopping experience, and now it’s following through. The previously announced shopping features of AI Mode search are rolling out, and Gemini will also worm its way into Google’s forgotten Duplex automated phone call tech. It’s all coming in time for the holidays to allegedly make your gifting more convenient and also conveniently ensure that Google gets a piece of the action.
What is AI Mode?
At Google I/O in May, the company announced its intention to bring conversational shopping to AI Mode. According to Google, its enormous “Shopping Graph” or retailer data means its AI is uniquely positioned to deliver useful suggestions. In the coming weeks, users in the US will be able to ask AI Mode complex questions about what to buy, and it will deliver suggestions, guides, tables, and other generated content to help you decide. And since this is gen AI, it comes with the usual disclaimers about possible mistakes.
AI Mode in Action
AI Mode shopping features will allow users to ask complex questions and receive personalized suggestions. The feature is designed to make online shopping easier and more convenient.
Some of the content that appears in AI Mode will be ads, just like if you look up shopping results in a traditional search. Shopping features are also coming to the Gemini app, but Google says it won’t have sponsored content in the results for the time being.
Agentic Checkout
Google is also releasing a feature called “agentic checkout,” a term used only in passing when the company announced the feature alongside AI Mode shopping at I/O. Google is really leaning into the agentic angle now, though. The gist is you can set a price threshold for a product in search, and Google will let you know if the item reaches that price. That part isn’t new, but there’s now an AI twist. After getting the alert, you can authorize an automatic purchase with Google Pay. However, it’s currently only supported at a handful of retailers like Chewy, Wayfair, and some Shopify merchants.
Conclusion
Google’s new AI Mode shopping features are designed to make online shopping easier and more convenient. With the ability to ask complex questions and receive personalized suggestions, users can find the perfect gift for their loved ones. While some of the content will be ads, the feature is still a useful tool for online shoppers. As Google continues to develop and improve its AI technology, we can expect to see even more innovative features in the future.
FAQs
- Q: What is AI Mode?
A: AI Mode is a new feature from Google that allows users to ask complex questions about what to buy and receive personalized suggestions. - Q: Will AI Mode have sponsored content?
A: Yes, some of the content that appears in AI Mode will be ads, just like if you look up shopping results in a traditional search. - Q: What is agentic checkout?
A: Agentic checkout is a feature that allows users to set a price threshold for a product and authorize an automatic purchase with Google Pay when the item reaches that price. - Q: Which retailers support agentic checkout?
A: Currently, agentic checkout is supported at a handful of retailers like Chewy, Wayfair, and some Shopify merchants.
