After building Google Lens to make it easier for users to shop online, Google is now helping users shop while in-store by providing product insights, price comparisons, and local availability. We are updating the product to make it possible. Alongside this news, the company is introducing new shopping features to Maps and adding more Google Pay features ahead of the holiday shopping season.
The Google Lens update builds on the efforts Google already has through its Google Shopping space. The idea is that people need to make similarly informed shopping decisions in the real world, and Google Lens (Google's visual search tool) provides easy access to that.
For example, if you find a toy you're interested in at Target, you can take a photo of it through Google Lens and find reviews and similar products in stock at the specific location you're visiting. You can also check to see if the toy is cheaper at another retailer like Amazon or Walmart.
Google says the new feature is powered by Shopping Graph's 45 billion product listings and the Gemini model.
Image credit: Google
“We're introducing new tools that leverage AI to take the guesswork out of in-store shopping and update the way people shop in-store,” Lilian Rincon, Google's vice president of consumer shopping products, told TechCrunch. he said. “There's nothing more magical than in-store shopping during the holidays. At the same time, we've all become dependent on reading reviews, comparing prices, and doing research before making a purchase.”
First, the feature will be available for beauty products, toys, and electronics in stores that share local inventory with Google. Currently, these retailers include Target, Ulta Beauty, Sally Beauty Supply, Target, Macy's, Nordstrom, and more.
“We know that consumers really like using lenses,” Rincon said. “In fact, Lens is used for nearly 20 billion visual searches every month, and 20% of searches on Lens are shopping-related. So we're excited to bring this to market. You will get some important information that will help you.”
This feature is available starting today in the Google and Chrome apps on Android and iOS for users in the United States who choose to share their location.
Image credit: Google
Regarding the new Maps feature, Google says users will soon be able to search for a product on Maps and find nearby stores selling that product. For example, you can search for holiday sweaters to see what options are currently available at stores near you.
You can search for household items, electronics, clothing, and groceries. The new map feature is expected to launch in the US in the coming weeks.
Google is also adding more buy now, pay later options to Google Pay, after adding Affirm and Zip earlier this year. Users will now have Afterpay as an option when checking out with Google Pay, and support for Klarna will be coming soon.
Additionally, Google will soon begin piloting a service that will help merchants more accurately identify fraudulent transactions. The company says the service helps unblock legitimate transactions that could be mistaken for fraud.