# Google Lens AI Features: In-Store Shopping Utilities for Black Friday
As Black Friday nears, consumers are preparing for the ultimate bargains, whether online or at brick-and-mortar locations. Although many individuals appreciate the ease of shopping online, the allure of in-store shopping remains strong, especially for those seeking last-minute offers. Yet, a persistent issue exists: how can you tell if the in-store pricing is superior to online options? Google has unveiled a remedy for this dilemma with new AI-enhanced features in Google Lens, aimed at improving the in-store shopping experience.
## What’s Fresh with Google Lens AI?
Google Lens, a visual search application that enables users to gather information via images, has received a major AI enhancement just in time for the festive shopping period. The updated features aim to assist shoppers in making informed choices while exploring products in physical shops.
With the newest update, Google Lens can now deliver customized product insights tailored to the specific store you are visiting. By simply snapping a photo of a product, Google Lens will showcase reviews, price comparisons, and other pertinent details to aid you in determining if the in-store offer is worthwhile. This function is especially beneficial during Black Friday, when consumers are inundated with promotions and discounts, complicating the search for the best value.
### Highlighted Features of the Update:
1. **Store-Specific Insights**: Google Lens will now provide product insights that are pertinent to the store you are in. This encompasses reviews of comparable products and whether the pricing is competitive with other merchants.
2. **One-Click Information**: With a single photo, Google Lens can unveil all the necessary details, including product reviews and price comparisons, simplifying quick decision-making while shopping.
3. **AI-Powered Shopping Graph**: This new feature is fueled by Google’s Shopping Graph, which boasts over 45 billion product listings and stock data from various retailers.
## Why This Is Important for Shoppers
As per Google, Google Lens sees nearly 20 billion uses each month, with around 4 billion sessions associated with shopping. The latest AI features aim to tackle frequent obstacles faced by shoppers, especially those who find themselves indecisive or uncertain about securing the best deal.
A survey referenced by Google shows that 72% of Americans utilize their smartphones while shopping physically, and more than half have left a store empty-handed due to a lack of confidence in their purchasing decision. Google Lens seeks to offer the assurance shoppers need by providing real-time information about the products they are evaluating.
## How It Operates
Utilizing Google Lens in-store is straightforward. Open the Google app, activate Google Lens, and take a picture of the product you’re interested in. The AI will then evaluate the image and present relevant information, including:
– **Product Reviews**: Discover what other buyers have said about the item.
– **Price Comparisons**: See if the in-store price is competitive with online prices.
– **Availability**: Learn if the product is in stock at other nearby stores.
This efficient process allows you to make well-informed choices without the need for manual searches for reviews or prices online, saving you both time and effort.
## Restrictions and Availability
While the newly introduced Google Lens AI features are a major advancement for in-store shopping, certain limitations should be noted:
– **Supported Product Categories**: Initially, the function will be limited to beauty products, toys, and electronics. More categories may be included later.
– **Store Participation**: The feature is dependent on stores sharing their inventory data with Google, so it may not be available in all retail environments.
– **Location Sharing**: To access the feature, you will need to share your location with Google through the application.
The update is currently being rolled out to Android and iPhone users in the U.S. via the Google app. Moreover, Google Maps has also seen updates, enabling users to search for products and find nearby retailers with items in stock, further enhancing the shopping experience.
## Google Pay Enhancements for the Shopping Season
In addition to the fresh Google Lens features, Google has recently announced updates to Google Pay, which could prove useful during the bustling shopping season:
– **Buy Now, Pay Later**: Google Pay is broadening its buy now, pay later options with the inclusion of Afterpay on its platform. This is besides existing options such as Affirm and Zip, with Klarna expected to follow soon.
– **Virtual Cards**: Google Pay is improving its security measures by supporting virtual cards, which protect your physical card numbers to decrease fraud risk. This feature is available for American Express, Capital One, and Citi cards, with Discover cards to be incorporated shortly.
## Conclusion
Google’s recent AI enhancements to Google Lens are poised to transform the in-store shopping journey, especially during peak shopping events like Black Friday. By providing real-time product insights, price comparisons, and reviews, Google Lens can empower shoppers to make informed choices.
