Google’s announcement marks the first major advertising experiment within AI search, as tech companies race to monetize their shopping-focused tools.

Google announced checkout capabilities in AI Mode and a new Business Agent feature that puts branded AI chat on Search results. Available to U.S. retailers.

Google is turning its search empire into a full‑fledged AI shopping layer, positioning intelligent agents not just to recommend products but to handle the messy middle of buying. Instead of sending people out to dozens of merchant sites,

Google has begun testing a new advertising format inside Search AI Mode that surfaces personalised discounts during Gemini-powered conversations. Called Direct Offers, the feature is designed to appear only when users are close to making a purchase,

Google has become the latest technology giant to use AI-powered search to funnel consumers directly to checkout, allowing brands to offer exclusive discounts within AI Mode.The discount AI shopping follows similar moves by OpenAI and Microsoft.

Google's AI Mode checkout aims to reduce friction, but retailers question what it means for brand control, cross-sells, and customer data.

Google has introduced AI Inbox in Gmail, using Gemini to prioritise important emails, surface key tasks, and help users manage growing inbox volumes more efficiently in 2026.

It could be a helpful or even transformational way to manage your inbox, but it’s not for me.

Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol lays the foundation for AI agents to handle shopping and checkout, connecting AI, retailers, and payment providers.