Google leverages search trends for tailored gift lists

The new Google Shopping Gift Guide applies artificial intelligence to the task of selecting holiday presents recipients will want.

Google has been identifying trending product categories in U.S. search results during the past several months and is using them to predict December’s most popular items. The company is then translating those findings into gift lists. For example, Google cookware searches have risen 34% since 2019, so Google created a gift list of the top-trending kitchen products.

Other trending gift categories include products for athletes, techies, decorators, wellness gurus, gamers, and kids. After finding a gift, customers can continue shopping on Google or also check listings of nearby stores for hours, stock alerts, and omnichannel services such as curbside pickup.

In addition, since October, Google has offered price insights that show whether the price offered for a product is high, low, or typical compared to other prices across the web and in nearby stores. Customers can switch on price tracking and get an alert if the price on an item they are considering for purchase drops.