Three example screenshots showing Direct Offers in action (Google/Mumbrella) Google has become the latest technology giant to use AI-powered search to funnel consumers directly to checkout, allowing brands to offer exclusive discounts within AI Mode.The discount AI shopping follows similar moves by OpenAI and Microsoft. Known as “Direct Offers”, Google’s pilot scheme means consumers don’t have to visit a retailers site at all.The scheme is currently only available to US retailers. However, Google said it would aim to expand globally “in the coming months”, alongside rolling out other features including related products, loyalty schemes and “custom shopping experiences on Google.”According to Google general manager for ads and commerce Vidhya Srinivasan, the pilot’s agentic AI ecosystem, known as the “universal commerce protocol”, was developed in partnership with retailers and e-commerce platforms including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target and Walmart and is “endorsed” by payment platforms such as Amex and Mastercard.ADVERTISEMENT Writing in a Google blog post, she said: “With direct offers, retailers set up relevant offers they want to feature in their campaign settings, and Google will use AI to determine when an offer is relevant to display.“We are initially focusing on discounts for the pilot and will expand to support the creation of offers with other attributes that help shoppers prioritise value over price alone, such as bundles and free shipping.”Advertisers such as pet brand Petco, make-up company Elf Cosmetics and luggage manufacturer Samsonite have already signed up to the pilot, Srinivasan said.Google launched AI Mode in Australia in October 2025, a full-screen platform that lets users complete tasks like shopping, checkout, and chatting with brands.AI Mode builds on AI Overviews (introduced in Australia a year ago), a more limited, top-of-page product that provides AI-generated summaries gleaned from multiple sources and delivered in a conversational tone, with bullet points and links.While apparently good for retailers looking to eliminate steps in the customer’s path to purchase, the tools have sparked fears among publishers and media owners that informational clicks will disappear, putting their traffic at risk.Google’s rollout of AI Mode and its new checkout feature follows similar moves by OpenAI and Microsoft.OpenAI introduced its “instant checkout” for ChatGPT in September, allowing users to make purchases through the large language model’s platform while taking a cut of sales made on the platform.Last week, Microsoft launched Copilot Checkout, which similarly offers recommendations and checkout directly within its AI chats. Related Content Opinion This Christmas, ChatGPT has replaced the salesperson Opinion The territories marketers keep ignoring - and why that’s a mistake Eleanor Dickinson Topics ai Copilot+ Gemini Google OpenAI Have your say Login with:Continue with LinkedIn Or comment anonymously Your comment will be marked as unverified Name Comment Δ Latest Meta reveals number of teens blocked on Instagram, Facebook Google joins the AI shopping race with exclusive discounts Nine mastheads under fire for publishing 'antisemitic' cartoon Good day as big SCA debuts on Unmade Index The Ashes end on a high for Seven, Foxtel, and cricket podcasters alike