Google Taps AI to Offer More Personalization While Shopping

If finding just the right gift for you or a loved one matters to you, then the new AI-powered tools from Google are right up your alley.

Google says people shop there more than a billion times a day, with more than 45 billion products showing up in searches. The company also says that more than two billion listings are updated every hour.

That's a lot of stuff to sift through, so Google wants to make it easier to find what you want with new features like style ratings, brand preferences, image generation (from text you type in), and a new virtual try-on feature, all baked right into the Shopping Graph.

Rate Styles With Google Shopping

If you're signed in to your mobile browser or the Google app in the US, you'll start to see a new section called "style recommendations." You'll then be able to rate the apparel, shoes, or accessories with a thumbs up/down tap or a simple right or left swipe and see personalized recommendations based on your rating.

The more you rate, the better the recommendations will be, says Google, as it will remember your preferences the next time you're shopping. You can customize these preferences at any time with the three dots next to "Get style recommendations," too.

Favorite Brands and AI-Powered Images

If you want to limit your shopping search to specific brands while shopping, you can now do that, too. This feature works on mobile and desktop browsers as well as the Google app. Tapping the three dots next to "Get style recommendations" as above will take you to the preference manager, where you can choose which brands you want to see more of when shopping. Again, this applies to apparel, shows, or accessories.

If you're looking for a very specific type or style of clothing, you can now use AI image generation to further refine your search. If you're looking for a "colorful quilted spring jacket," for example, you can tap "Generate images" after that to see generated images that match that text string. FInd something you like? Click on it and you'll be able to see various buyable options. You'll need to opt in to Search Labs and be in the US to get this feature on the Google App or on a mobile browser

Google Shopping Virtual Try-On

Only available in the US (using a desktop, mobile device, or the Google app), you'll see a new "try-on" icon when you're looking for men's or women's shirts.

You won't be able to see how the tops look on you, but Google will generate how the top looks on a "diverse set of real models ranging in size from XXS-4XL—including how it would drape, fold or form wrinkles and shadows on the model." In other words, you can find someone who looks like you to see how the shirt works on their body.