Google tests buying from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India
The limited test covers select products and users, with a broader rollout planned for later in October.
Google is piloting a method for Indian shoppers to purchase items directly from Walmart-owned Flipkart via its Gemini AI service, signaling the tech giant's push to incorporate commerce capabilities into its AI offerings. Shoppers experiencing the test see a distinctive "Buy" button on certain Flipkart product listings within Gemini and Google's AI Mode, seamlessly directing them to a Flipkart checkout process without exiting the AI interface, according to sources familiar with the matter and TechCrunch.
This experimental rollout, confined to a select group of users and a limited range of products such as smartphones, electronics, and mobile accessories, is set to expand nationwide later in October ahead of the Indian festive shopping season, according to one of those sources. Google aims to broaden the scope of its AI services beyond merely suggesting products and answering queries to directly facilitating online transactions, a strategy mirrored by competitors like OpenAI.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the company is continuously testing new features to enhance user experience, noting they have no additional details to provide. Earlier this year, Google unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard enabling AI agents to engage with retailers throughout the purchasing process, including checkout.
The Flipkart test, however, diverges from Google's earlier demonstration of UCP, presenting a Flipkart-branded checkout flow upon tapping the Buy button. The exact technology underpinning the test remains undisclosed. Notably, Google has a financial stake in Flipkart, having invested $350 million in the e-commerce platform in 2024, securing a minority share.
Despite this partnership, Google's involvement in the test is not yet publicly detailed, nor is its rollout schedule. Currently, the Buy option is not accessible across all merchants featured by Google's AI services. In the TechCrunch-reported test, listings from competitors such as Amazon were visible but did not offer direct purchasing capabilities through the AI interface. Flipkart declined to comment on the matter at press time.
Written by urgent.news from TechCrunch's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
