Google's New Protocol Lets You Shop, Check Out Within Search and Gemini

Payment processors like Stripe and Visa have endorsed the protocol, which was developed in partnership with Shopify, Etsy, Target, and other major e-commerce players.

Google has announced an open standard for AI-driven shopping called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). The tech giant developed UCP in partnership with Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart and has received endorsements from major payment processors, including Stripe, American Express, and Visa.

The UCP addresses a core problem in retail: Merchants must create separate connections for each AI shopping platform. Google's standard creates one common language, allowing agents and retailers to work together across search, apps, and payment systems. The protocol works with existing systems such as Google's Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) and OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol.

The UCP will power three new tools, which work within Google Search, Gemini, or both:

• Business Agent, which lets shoppers "chat" with brands via Search ...