21 Sources
[1]
Google announces a new protocol to facilitate commerce using AI agents | TechCrunch
Google today announced a new open standard, called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for AI agent-based shopping, at the National Retail Federation (NRF) conference. The standard, developed with companies like Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart, lets agents work across different parts
[2]
Google Moves to Simplify AI-Driven Shopping as Retailers Show Support
Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing. Google has introduced a new open standard designed to help AI tools work seamlessly across the online shopping journey, connecting retailers with
[3]
Google rolls out agentic commerce in Search and Gemini
Google is aiming to turn Gemini into a one-stop personal shopper with what it hopes will become a global standard for agentic AI commerce, and it's already persuaded major retailers to let Google handle transactions without sending users to their websites. Google announced a new Universal Commerce
[4]
Google's new commerce framework cranks up the heat on 'agentic shopping'
To further push the limits of consumerism, Google has launched a new open standard for agentic commerce that's called Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). In brief, it's a framework that combines the power of AI agents and online shopping platforms to help customers buy more things. Thanks to the
[5]
Google bolsters bet on AI-powered commerce with new platform for shopping agents
The Google logo displayed on a smartphone alongside a shopping cart. As retailers increasingly turn to artificial intelligence tools to lure shoppers and run key parts of their business, Google wants to make sure it's in the center of the action. At the kickoff of the National Retail Federation's
[6]
Google makes a big move into agentic commerce, raising questions about Amazon's retail dominance
Google is making a key push into AI-powered shopping with the unveiling of Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open technical standard aimed at letting shoppers buy products directly through AI chatbots and search interfaces. The protocol has backing from major retailers and payment players
[7]
Google's new checkout protocol lets you buy products without leaving your search results
The new "Business Agents" also let brands answer shopper questions in conversational results using their own product knowledge. Imagine asking your phone for new running shoes, and instead of just getting links, an AI finds and buys them for you, so you don't have to switch between tabs. That
[8]
You might soon be able to buy from stores without leaving Google Search
Mark has almost a decade of experience reporting on mobile technology, working previously with Digital Trends. Taking a less-than-direct route to technology writing, Mark began his Android journey while studying for a BA in Ancient & Medieval History at university. But since then, he's cast his
[9]
Gemini app and AI Mode adding product checkout, Google Search getting 'Business Agents'
Google is embracing "agentic shopping" wherein users can easily make purchases through the Gemini app and AI Mode. UCP establishes a common language for agents and systems to operate together across consumer surfaces, businesses, and payment providers. So instead of requiring unique connections
[10]
Google is going all-out on "agentic shopping" with new AI ecommerce tools
Businesses can target customers with ads designed for AI shoppers Google has announced plans to take the stress out of online shopping with a new agentic AI ecommerce suite that'll take care of product research, purchasing, and even post-purchase support. Company VP and GM of Ads & Commerce
[11]
Google's new tech will let you buy stuff directly from an AI chatbot
As if we're not already spending too much on online purchases, Google just announced new tech that will make shopping even easier. At the core of the announcement is the just-launched Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a "new open standard for agentic commerce." Developed with major online
[12]
Google Introduces Universal Commerce Protocol, AI Tools to Power Agentic Shopping | AIM
Google also introduced Direct Offers, a new Google Ads pilot that allows retailers to show targeted discounts. Google has announced a new open standard and a set of AI-powered tools to help retailers sell products in an emerging "agentic shopping" environment, where AI systems act on behalf of
[13]
Google debuts Universal Commerce Protocol to streamline agentic shopping automation - SiliconANGLE
Google debuts Universal Commerce Protocol to streamline agentic shopping automation Google LLC has unveiled a new open commerce standard that's designed to enable artificial intelligence agents to automate the entire shopping journey, from product discovery to payment to post-sale support. The
[14]
Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol to let AI shop for you
Google is intensifying its focus on the future of retail with the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard designed to accelerate "agentic commerce." This framework aims to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence agents with online shopping platforms, reducing
[15]
Google Adds AI-Powered 'Business Agent' Feature to Search for Shoppers
Google upgrades Merchant Centre for AI driven product discovery Google has announced a new set of tools and standards designed to broaden the use of AI in online shopping, including an open commerce protocol, a retailer chat agent, and new advertising formats for AI-driven search. The updates
[16]
How Google's New UCP Lets AI Do Product Discovery, Carts & Checkout Across the Web
Imagine a world where your AI assistant not only finds the perfect product for you but also handles the entire checkout process seamlessly, no tedious forms, no endless searches, just a few clicks and done. Below, Sam Witteveen takes you through how Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) is
[17]
Google's New UCP Protocol Will Enable Direct Purchases Within Google Search
Google co-developed the UCP with companies like Shopify, Etsy and more Google is introducing new AI shopping tools that enable users to purchase products directly through Google Search. The tech giant has launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open system that supports the entire
[18]
Google Debuts 'Universal' Protocol for Agentic Commerce | PYMNTS.com
Announced Sunday (Jan. 11) at the National Retail Federation (NRF) annual event, the UCP is designed to "work across the entire shopping journey," as Google said in a news release. "UCP establishes a common language for agents and systems to operate together across consumer surfaces, businesses
[19]
Google expands agentic commerce with UCP, AI agents, and native checkout
Google has outlined its approach to agentic commerce, a shopping model where AI systems assist users from discovery through purchase. The strategy was presented by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, who described the shift as a platform-level transition for retail driven by conversational
[20]
What are the Competition Issues With Google's AI Commerce Protocol
MediaNama's Take: Nearly four months after OpenAI rolled out "agentic commerce" and the Agentic Commerce Protocol in September 2025, its rival Google has announced the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to facilitate shopping and payments within its Gemini AI chatbot. This marks a
[21]
Google's Universal Commerce Protocol explained: The new standard that lets AI shop for you
Google UCP brings chat-to-checkout AI commerce to Search and Gemini We have spent the last decade getting comfortable with asking AI to find things for us. "Hey Google, what's the best running shoe?" or "Find me a cheap flight to Tokyo." But the next decade won't be about finding, it will be about
Share
Copy Link
Google unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol at the National Retail Federation conference, creating an open standard for AI commerce developed with Shopify, Walmart, Target, and Etsy. The protocol enables AI agents to handle discovery, purchasing, and post-purchase support without custom integrations. Google will soon offer direct checkout through AI Mode in Search and Gemini, while retailers can deploy AI-powered Business Agents and exclusive Direct Offers to shoppers.
Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) at the National Retail Federation conference on Sunday, January 11, establishing what it hopes will become an industry-wide open standard for AI-driven shopping
1
. The protocol was co-developed with major e-commerce platforms and retailers including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart, with endorsements from over 20 additional brands and payment companies such as Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe2
. The Universal Commerce Protocol serves as a common language that enables different AI agents to communicate with retailers and payment systems without requiring custom technical connections for each platform2
.
Source: Digit
Google plans to use the protocol to power a new direct checkout feature in AI Mode in Search and the Gemini app, allowing shoppers to complete purchases directly with participating US-based merchants while researching products
1
. Users will be able to pay using Google Pay and shipping information saved in Google Wallet, with PayPal support coming soon1
. This represents a significant shift in Google's strategy, as CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the company processed over 90 trillion tokens through its API in December 2024, compared to 8.3 trillion tokens a year earlier3
. The natural evolution, Pichai explained, is creating a highway users never have to leave to make purchases3
.
Source: 9to5Google
Google is now allowing merchants to integrate AI-powered Business Agents within their websites and search results to answer customer questions in the brand's own voice
1
. Retailers including Lowe's, Michaels, Poshmark, and Reebok are already using this product, which addresses the shift toward more conversational commerce5
. The Business Agent feature is available in the Merchant Center to help products surface more easily in conversational and agentic commerce experiences2
. Vidhya Srinivasan, vice president of Google ads and commerce, emphasized that businesses can pick and choose which protocol extensions suit their needs, providing flexibility across discovery, buying, and post-purchase support5
.Google is piloting a feature called Direct Offers, which lets retailers push exclusive discounts to shoppers at moments when they appear likely to make a purchase
2
. For instance, if a user searches for a modern, stylish rug for a high-traffic dining room, brands can set up campaigns to offer a discount at that precise moment1
. This capability works in tandem with ads in AI Mode that Google is currently testing, allowing the company to innovate in ways that add value to both retailers and buyers5
. Srinivasan noted that Google's role in the ecosystem is that of a matchmaker, with advertising representing a major focus area5
.
Source: Mashable
Related Stories
The Universal Commerce Protocol positions Google to compete more aggressively with OpenAI, Perplexity, and Amazon in the booming generative AI market for e-commerce
5
. OpenAI announced Instant Checkout in September, which allows users to buy products through ChatGPT while taking a fee from transactions5
. Perplexity partnered with PayPal to let users buy products directly in its chat, and Amazon launched Shop Direct with a "Buy for Me" AI agent feature5
. According to a McKinsey report from October, the retail market could represent a $3 trillion to $5 trillion opportunity globally by 2030 due to AI-powered tools and agentic commerce5
. Adobe noted that traffic driven to seller sites by generative AI grew by 693.4% during the holiday season, though the report didn't specify conversion rates1
.The Universal Commerce Protocol is designed to work with other agentic protocols, including Agent Payments Protocol (A2P), Agent2Agent (A2A), and Model Context Protocol (MCP)
1
. This compatibility allows agents and businesses to select specific extensions that suit their operational needs1
. Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke highlighted the serendipitous nature of agentic commerce, noting that AI agents excel at finding people with specific interests and matching them with products they would never have searched for independently1
. Notably, Shopify also unveiled a similar integration with Microsoft Copilot for shopping, allowing customers to check out easily within conversational flows1
. The broader impact will depend on how quickly retailers and AI platforms adopt the standard, with Google planning to expand capabilities globally in the coming months2
.Summarized by
Navi
[3]
20 Mar 2026•Technology

19 May 2026•Technology

02 Oct 2025•Technology

1
Science and Research

2
Policy and Regulation

3
Technology