The Search Generative Experience (SGE) offered by the company has the potential to simplify online shopping and make it more engaging. Google’s AI-powered SGE is responsible for introducing several new shopping features designed to assist users in discovering unique or specialized items for themselves or as gifts. These features leverage AI to provide product recommendations and fashion suggestions that users can then purchase. Google is also extending online try-on capabilities to include men in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.
Today, customers in the US who have previously opted into SGE through Search Labs may encounter a range of suggested subcategories when searching for gift ideas. These subcategories are accompanied by links to additional information to help users explore specific product categories. For example, a search for “great gifts for home cooks” might reveal subcategories like specialized tools, artisanal ingredients, cooking subscriptions, and baking classes. By clicking on these subcategories, users can explore branded gift options and make a purchase, offering a novel way to broaden horizons when selecting gifts for individuals with unique hobbies or interests.
However, what if you have a clear idea of what you want but struggle to find a similar product online? An upcoming feature of SGE addresses this challenge by enabling users to generate photorealistic images based on text descriptions of desired apparel, such as a “colorful, patterned puffer jacket.” Users can refine their prompts to ensure the generated images align with their specific preferences and then browse through artistically similar products from the 35 billion listings on Google’s Shopping platform. This new functionality has started rolling out to SGE users in the US as of December.
Furthermore, an enhancement to Google’s AI-powered virtual try-on tool introduces a final update that benefits all users, not just SGE participants. This feature allows individuals to preview how a top or sweater would look on 40 models with varying skin tones, body shapes, sizes, and heights. Users can utilize the virtual try-on experience to visualize men’s tops from numerous brands like Abercrombie, Banana Republic, JCrew, and Under Armour. While Google plans to make this feature available on desktop soon, it is currently accessible only through Google apps and mobile browsers in the US.
