Google has enhanced its visual search tool, Google Lens, by introducing a product price search feature. This addition enables users to gather detailed information about items in physical stores and locate better deals online or nearby.
As of today, the feature is available for Android and iOS users in the US. By snapping a photo of an item on a store shelf, users can access comprehensive details about the product, including its prices at various online and local retailers, availability, and customer reviews. Additionally, the tool provides information on similar products sold in the same store, helping shoppers make well-informed decisions.
Powered by AI and Expanding Partnerships
The new feature is made possible through Google’s advancements in AI-driven image recognition technology. Currently, it provides information on beauty products, toys, and electronics from stores like Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and Amazon, which share their stock data with Google. The service is expected to grow, adding more product categories and retail partnerships in the future.
“72% of Americans use their smartphones while shopping in stores, and over half leave without purchasing due to lack of information,” noted Lilian Rincon, Google’s vice president of consumer shopping. She emphasized that this feature aims to empower customers with the confidence to make purchases. However, it’s worth noting that the service requires users to share location data with the Google app to identify the store they’re visiting, which may raise privacy concerns for some users.
Related Developments in Google Shopping
This isn’t the first time Google has enhanced shopping experiences, reminds NIX Solutions. Previously, a similar feature in Google Maps allowed users to search for products and check stock levels directly. Additionally, Google Pay is expanding its “buy now, pay later” options with Afterpay and Klarna, offering flexible payment solutions for shoppers.
The new price search feature represents another step in Google’s mission to improve in-store and online shopping. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.