Google Lens Adds Additional AI-Powered In-Store and Local Shopping Features

Google has introduced a new shopping feature in Google Lens. For those unfamiliar, Google Lens is Google’s AI-powered image identification technology, enabling users to search via photos and videos, along with other image-related functionalities. One of these new features allows shoppers to obtain real-time price comparisons and local inventory searches simply by taking a photo of any product they see.

With a simple point-and-shoot, the AI-powered Google Lens can provide prices, reviews, product details, and more while viewing the product in a retail store. By comparing availability at other local stores nearby and online shops, consumers can secure better deals during this holiday shopping season. According to Google:

“Google Lens can quickly show you product insights tailored to the store you’re in. Just snap a photo to find product information, similar products in stock, whether a store’s price is competitive, and shopper reviews.” Google added, “Seventy-two percent of Americans say they use their smartphone while shopping in-store, and more than half say they’ve left a store empty-handed because they didn’t feel confident enough to buy.”

To address consumer uncertainty and the inconvenience of manual comparison shopping, this Google Lens feature not only compares prices but also identifies stores with updated inventory relevant to the user’s location. Users simply need to open the Google app, click on search, and take a photo of the product they are viewing. Google will then display both paid and free search results from online and nearby stores, along with pricing, product information, and reviews.

This feature is currently available only to U.S. Google App users with location services enabled.