Google Enhances AI Shopping Tools and Payment Security for Shoppers

December 27, 2024

Picture this: you’re strolling through a store, contemplating a new beauty product, toy, or electronic gadget, but you’re unsure if you’re getting the best deal or if the product meets your needs. Enter Google’s newest enhancements aimed at revolutionizing in-store and online product research and payment security. The tech giant has unveiled updates to its Google Lens tool that now incorporates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition. This enhancement allows users to photograph items in a store and instantly obtain detailed product information, compare prices, check stock availability, and read reviews. This innovative feature takes advantage of the Google Shopping Graph, a substantial real-time dataset that includes more than 45 billion product listings and inventory information. This rich dataset is supported by Google’s powerful Gemini generative AI models, making shopping smarter and more efficient.

Initially, these revolutionary functionalities will be available for beauty products, toys, and electronics in stores that share their inventory data with Google. U.S. users who have opted in to location sharing can access these groundbreaking updates via the Lens icon in the Google Android and iOS apps. As part of ongoing enhancements, in the upcoming weeks, users will also have the capability to search for specific products on Google Maps. This feature will enable shoppers to view nearby stores selling desired items and browse their inventory. Eligible products will include home goods, electronics, clothing, and grocery items, providing a comprehensive shopping solution at your fingertips. These advancements represent a significant stride in integrating AI to bridge the gap between in-store and online shopping experiences.

Improved Payment Security and Flexibility

On the payment front, Google is advancing its platform to offer even more flexibility and security for shoppers. Expanding upon its existing buy now, pay later options with partners like Affirm and Zip, Google is now incorporating Afterpay, with Klarna slated to join soon. The objective is to provide consumers with increased payment choices, enhancing convenience for a diverse range of purchasing preferences. Furthermore, Google is broadening its virtual cards feature, which conceals card numbers during online transactions. This security measure aims to protect consumer information, and now includes Discover cardholders alongside existing participants American Express, Capital One, and Citi.

In addition to these security enhancements, Google is piloting a new service designed to assist retailers in combating fraudulent transactions. This new initiative focuses on better identifying and preventing the use of stolen financial information, ensuring that legitimate transactions are not mistakenly flagged as fraud. This dual approach—to enhance payment security for consumers and aid retailers in fraud prevention—exemplifies Google’s commitment to a safer shopping ecosystem. By reducing the potential stress often associated with online transactions, these updates aim to provide peace of mind for both consumers and merchants alike.

A Transformative Shopping Experience

Imagine walking through a store, unsure if a new beauty product, toy, or gadget is worth the deal or if it meets your needs. Google’s latest updates are set to transform how we research products and secure payments both in stores and online. The company has upgraded its Google Lens tool with advanced AI image recognition. Now, you can snap a picture of an item in a store and get detailed product info, price comparisons, stock availability, and reviews instantly. This feature leverages the Google Shopping Graph, a massive real-time dataset featuring over 45 billion product listings and inventory data. Supported by Google’s powerful Gemini generative AI, this makes shopping far smarter and more efficient.

Initially, these cutting-edge features will be available for beauty products, toys, and electronics in stores that share their inventory with Google. U.S. users who enable location sharing can access these features via the Lens icon in the Google Android and iOS apps. In the coming weeks, users will also be able to search for specific products on Google Maps to see nearby stores’ inventory. Products ranging from home goods to groceries will be included, providing a seamless shopping experience. This significant advancement represents a leap in integrating AI to merge in-store and online shopping experiences.

Subscribe to our weekly news digest.

Join now and become a part of our fast-growing community.

Invalid Email Address
Thanks for Subscribing!
We'll be sending you our best soon!
Something went wrong, please try again later