The holiday shopping season is upon us! With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and general holiday shopping quickly approaching, people are searching and purchasing products online more than ever. Most consumers are not exactly sure what they are looking for, so they turn to search engines like Google to guide them in the right direction. Now, Google is making your online shopping experience even easier by adding multiple new search tools and shopping features.
Makeup Simulator
With the help from beauty brands, Google has developed a new makeup simulator for foundation, which is one of the most searched beauty products in the makeup category. With over 140 models representing a variety of skin tones, ethnicities, ages, genders, face shapes, and skin types, it should make finding your shade much easier while shopping online. Before advanced technology, most consumers would only purchase beauty products in store so they can see first-hand what shade they are purchasing. Now, Google has made it as real as it can get online and helps you visualize what different products may look like on you.
Sneaker Shopping
Google is also adding search tools that use augmented reality (AR) to improve your shopping experience for sneakers. The feature will allow you to be up close and personal with the sneaker you are thinking of purchasing and give you the chance to view shoes in 360 degrees. Now, some sneaker websites have already been using this feature. However, Google is letting you have the same views without having to leave the search engine.
Food Search
Picture this: You’re at a holiday party that has these delicious cookies, but they are not homemade. You ask the host where they got them, but they can’t remember. Where are you going to find these mouth-watering cookies? Google can help you out. Google is adding a new element to its Google Lens camera search feature, which will allow you to find where certain foods are being sold nearby. So, all you have to do is snap a picture of those cookies and Google will supply you with information about what they are and where you can purchase them.
The image search feature is not the only thing Google is adding to improve their food-related searches. Google is adding a search element that will help you locate specific food items at restaurants near your location. So, if you’re really craving some mac and cheese or truffle fries one day, Google is making it much easier for you to satisfy your craving.
Google Maps
Google is expanding on their Live View in Google Maps, to make it easier for consumers to get around during the holiday season. If you are in the Live View of Google Maps, you will be able get a better look at the things around you via AR overlays. In other words, Google will let you know that there is a Starbucks just a block away or a clothing store just around the corner.
As Google explains…
“Say you’re visiting New York with plans to knock out your holiday shopping and catch up with friends. Lift your phone and tap on the camera icon in the search bar to see nearby stores and other places like coffee shops, banks, and ATMs. With AR-powered directions and arrows, you can see what direction they’re in and how far away they are – and even spot places that aren’t in your immediate view (like a clothing store around the block) to get a true sense of the neighborhood at a glance.”
The new features that Google is adding will be extremely helpful during the holiday shopping season and everyday life when you’re out and about. When you are shopping online or in store searching for the perfect Christmas gifts, be sure to remember these handy Google features! If you’re a business looking to boost sales during the holiday season, read our blog here.
