Google Pushes AI Shopping Features in Search and Gemini Chatbot

Google is adding a way for consumers to buy things while seeking artificial intelligence-powered answers on search and in its Gemini chatbot — part of a plan to make money more directly from consumers’ AI use.

The Alphabet Inc. company has been testing new ad formats on Google Search’s AI Mode that will allow retailers and other advertisers to offer products there, the company said in a letter to the advertising community on Wednesday. Users can also now buy items from Etsy and Wayfair within Gemini, the company said. A new feature called Direct Offers within AI Mode will allow brands to offer discounts to potential shoppers.