In 2026, Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), co-developed with major retailers and payment providers to create a standardized communication framework among AI shopping agents, platforms, and payment systems. This innovation helps eliminate the need for unique connections between individual agents, enabling seamless interaction across discovery, purchase, and post-purchase support. UCP is compatible with existing protocols such as Agent2Agent and Agent Payments Protocol and was initially implemented to support streamlined checkout within Google Search AI Mode and the Gemini app in the U.S., integrating secure payment options like Google Pay and PayPal.
Additionally, Google launched Business Agent, an AI-powered conversational interface that allows shoppers to interact directly with retailers on Search, enabling personalized product consultations and eventually in-experience purchases. Early adopters include Lowe’s and Reebok. These developments reflect Google's commitment to realizing an open, collaborative agentic commerce ecosystem while providing retailers with improved tools to enhance customer engagement and reduce cart abandonment.
Source & further reading
New tech and tools for retailers to succeed in an agentic shopping era ↗Source published 2026-01-11. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.