Google has dropped an update to its Shopping service, adding a tailored product feed aimed at helping users discover items they didn’t know they needed. By using data from your recent search activity, as well as YouTube views, Google puts forward suggestions that feel surprisingly relevant, whether you’re looking for a new gadget or some everyday item. Both mobile and desktop users are part of this rollout, which aims to make your browsing experience more efficient and engaging.
Instead of the same product catalog everyone else sees, you’re now met with a feed that adjusts based on your personal interests. The feed doesn’t just throw random items at you; it offers up things similar to what you’ve been checking out or recently bought. Plus, you get video snippets related to those products, further helping your decision-making. Tired of seeing something? Hit the thumbs down, and Google will stop recommending it.
Search Tweaks and Recommendations Get a Boost from AI
Another interesting addition is how product searches now come with AI-generated briefs. If you type in something like “men´s winter jacket for Seattle” Google will throw at you a few top picks, each with a little blurb explaining why they might suit your needs. For instance, one kettle might have “precise temperature control,” while another might tout its “fast boiling feature.”
The real kicker? Google pulls these insights from across the web, scanning reviews, articles, and buyer guides. All that data gets condensed into easy-to-read summaries, saving users time and energy that would otherwise be spent jumping from site to site. You’ll also notice filters to refine your search, like narrowing down by size or stores near you. These filters work with Google’s virtual try-on feature, letting you see how clothes look on a model before deciding to buy.
Personalized Deals and Rolling Changes
Personalized deals also make an appearance. Based on what you’ve searched for before, Google will show you discounted products that match your preferences. The “Deals” page features price drops from retailers across the web, customized for each user. If you don’t want Google keeping track of your searches, though, there’s always the option to turn off the personalization by logging out.
Google’s not rolling these updates out to everyone at once. Some users are already seeing them, but it will take a few weeks for the changes to hit all US users. Once they do, shoppers will find the new features available on both mobile devices and desktops.
AR Shopping and Search Customization
Augmented reality (AR) also gets a nod with these updates. If you’re shopping for clothes or shoes, some products now come with a 3D model that you can view in AR, simulating what they’d look like in the real world. This technology is helpful for those who want to visualize a product before they buy it, making online shopping feel a bit more like visiting a physical store.
On top of that, Google’s AI now pushes recommendations that include related products, not just what you were specifically searching for. If you’re in the market for a notebook, you might see suggestions for complementary items like pens or erasers, giving users a more rounded shopping experience.
Behind the Scenes of Google’s AI
It’s clear that Google´s Gemini AI is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. From scanning product reviews to pulling in useful info from articles across the web, Google’s algorithms are working hard to make the shopping experience feel more tailored and less overwhelming. Google’s VP of consumer shopping, Sean Scott, mentioned how the company sifts through “a lot” of content to generate these recommendations. Essentially, the AI figures out what shoppers might want based on an analysis of tons of data points, making shopping feel less like a chore and more like a curated experience.
If something feels off or you’re not happy with a suggestion, Google makes it easy to tweak what you see in the feed, offering a level of control that’s much needed in these algorithm-driven times.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:33 pm CET