Google tests buying Flipkart items inside Gemini and AI Mode in India

In short: Google is testing a “Buy” button that lets some people in India purchase select Flipkart items inside Gemini and Google’s AI Mode.

What happened

Google has started a limited test in India that adds shopping checkout steps to its AI tools, Gemini and Google’s AI Mode. Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, and AI Mode is a search experience that answers questions in a chat style.

In the test, some users see Flipkart product listings with a “Buy” button. If they tap it, they are taken into a Flipkart-branded checkout flow that opens inside the AI interface, instead of sending them out to a normal web page. Think of it like shopping in a mall kiosk that lets you pay right there, rather than walking to a separate store.

The test is currently small. TechCrunch reports it covers only some users and a limited set of products, including smartphones, electronics, and mobile accessories. Google plans a broader rollout later in October, ahead of India’s festive shopping season.

Google confirmed it is testing new ways to help people connect with businesses, but it did not share more details. Flipkart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why it matters

If this expands, Google’s AI tools could move from helping you find products to helping you actually buy them. That could make shopping faster for users, but it could also influence which stores get the easiest path to a purchase. In this test, the direct buying option appeared for Flipkart listings, not for rivals like Amazon.

Source: TechCrunch AI