Google's Shopping Experience Amplifies with AI-Powered Suggestions
Shopping for a new gadget got you stumped? Fret not! You can peruse tech blogs' buying guides or gaze upon Google's revamped Shopping tab. On the horizon, Google will be snatching product recommendations from third-party review sites to guide your next air fryer purchase. They'll even delve into your data for those tailor-made shopping suggestions.
Dive into the modified Google Shopping experience, where AI-powered summaries claim center stage. For example, typing 'fleece jacket' into the search bar will bring up recommendations from various product recommendation platforms. Go a step further by seeking a winter jacket made for skiing in the Pacific Northwest, and you'll find a summary detailing jacket features with a list of suggested products. Google will also showcase the sites from which they culled the recommendations and tie in relevant YouTube videos.
The makeover doesn't stop there. Google introduces a price comparison and price tracking feature, with a new "deals" link located at the page's top. Although the "Sponsored" ads atop Google results will persist, the AI summary will maintain prominence. The links in these boxes direct users to third-party product blogs and buyers' guides, whereas the images in each search response whisk you straight to the product page. This update may leave some online publishers scratching their heads, given their reliance on affiliate links as a significant revenue source.
Prepare for round-the-clock return visits to Google Shopping, as they usher in a "personalized" shopping feed catering to your account activity. If privacy is your concern, simply toggle off the personalized feed within the "Shopping preferences" at the page's bottom.
Google's integration of AI into its Shopping tab isn't surprising, given their history of AI-powered Search features. Last year, Google equipped the shopping tab with AI capabilities such as showcasing how certain clothing brands fit on various body types. You can also employ Google Lens on mobile browsers to scan prices.
The Google AI juggernaut presses on despite the new wave of federal antitrust efforts. The US Department of Justice has suggested the possibility of compelling Google to divest its Android and Chrome divisions. Some US lawmakers have also raised concerns about AI summaries as evidence of Google's monopolistic practices. They've pointed out that drawing from publishers' content and repackaging it with AI support may hinder traffic flow to those sites.
In the revamped Google Shopping, AI-powered summaries take center stage, providing recommendations based on search queries like 'fleece jacket'. For more specific needs, such as a skiing winter jacket for the Pacific Northwest, you'll find detailed summaries with product suggestions. Price comparison and price tracking features have been added, along with a new "deals" link for easy navigation. Prepare for personalized shopping experiences based on your account activity, but privacy concerns can be addressed by disabling the personalized feed in the "Shopping preferences" section.
Google's use of AI in shopping isn't novel, considering its AI-driven Search features last year, including showcasing clothing fit on various body types. Google Lens on mobile browsers can also scan prices, demonstrating their commitment to AI technology.
Despite ongoing federal antitrust efforts, Google continues to integrate AI into its services, such as the Shopping tab. Some concerns have been raised about AI summaries and potential monopolistic practices, particularly the repackaging of publishers' content.
