New ways to holiday shop with Google Lens, Maps and more
General summary
Google is making shopping easier with new features for Google Lens, Maps, and Google Pay. You can now use Google Lens to find product information and reviews while shopping in-store, and Google Maps will let you search for products and find nearby stores that sell them. Google Pay is also adding more buy now, pay later options and expanding virtual card protection to Discover cardholders.
Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.Basic explainer
Google is making shopping easier! You can now use your phone's camera to find information about products in stores. Just take a picture and Google will tell you things like the price, reviews, and if the store has it in stock. You can also search for products in Google Maps to find nearby stores that sell them. And Google Pay is getting even better with more ways to pay and extra security features to keep your money safe.
Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.Shakespeare-ish
With Lens, a tool for shoppers keen and bright,
You'll find the goods, with ease and swift delight.
A picture snapped, and prices you shall see,
Reviews and stock, all readily.
In Maps, you'll find the stores that hold your quest,
From sweaters warm to items of the best.
And Google Pay, with options to explore,
For safe and swift, a payment evermore.
Explore other styles:
Last month, we launched a new Google Shopping, rebuilt with AI to give shoppers a more assistive and personalized way to shop the world’s stores in one place. But we know online is just one way people shop. So today we’re announcing a new way AI is transforming the in-store and local shopping experience, too. We’re also expanding availability for a few key Google Pay features to give you more flexibility and security, no matter how you choose to shop.
Get all the details when you shop in-store
Lens is used for nearly 20 billion visual searches every month, and 20% of those searches are shopping-focused. Now, to help you make more informed decisions when you’re shopping in-store, Google Lens can quickly show you product insights tailored to the store you're in. Just snap a photo to find product information, similar products in-stock, whether a store's price is competitive and shopper reviews.
This new update is made possible by major advancements in our AI image recognition technology. It’s powered by the Shopping Graph's 45 billion+ product listings, in-stock inventory data from a range of retailers and our Gemini models to bring you an entirely new way to shop in-store. Seventy-two percent of Americans say they use their smartphone while shopping in-store, and more than half say they’ve left a store empty-handed because they didn’t feel confident enough to buy.12 This new feature can give shoppers the information and confidence they need to make a decision on the spot.
To start, you’ll be able to use this feature with beauty products, toys or electronics at stores of all sizes that share their local inventory with Google. Just tap the Lens icon in your Search bar to try these in-store updates, which are available starting today in the Google app for Android and iOS for U.S. users who have opted in to sharing their precise location.
See products available near you
Last week we announced that we’re making it easier to find what you’re shopping for in Google Maps. Beginning this holiday season, you’ll be able to search for products in Maps and find nearby stores selling them. Just search for an item, like a festive sweater, to discover stores nearby that carry it and browse relevant inventory.
You can search for products including home goods, electronics, clothing and more, as well as items from grocery stores or retailers. Product search in Maps is launching in the U.S. in the coming weeks.
Check out safely and conveniently
We’re also expanding features that give you more flexibility and security when you pay. Earlier this year we introduced buy now, pay later options to Google Pay with partners Affirm and Zip. Now we're adding Afterpay as an option and Klarna is coming soon, so you have even more choices at checkout.
It’s our priority to keep your information safe — however you choose to pay. One way we do this is through virtual cards, which conceal your American Express, Capital One or Citi card number during online transactions, protecting you from potential fraud. Starting this month, we’re expanding this feature to Discover cardholders in the U.S. who can set up and use a virtual card from their Chrome or Android device.
We’re always working to protect consumers and businesses from fraud, which is forecasted to grow substantially in the coming years. Soon we’ll begin piloting a service to help merchants better identify fraudulent transactions and help prevent fraudsters from using stolen financial information. This will also help unblock good transactions that may be mistaken as fraud. A safe and secure payments ecosystem is critical for both consumers and merchants — and we’re committed to doing our part.
Here’s hoping that these features help you stress less, get your shopping done and spend more time with friends and family over the holidays.
