Google launched personalized shopping ads in its Gemini chatbot on January 11, 2026. This feature uses conversation context to show timely offers, helping Google monetize its popular AI while competing with tools like ChatGPT. It shifts from traditional search ads by predicting the best ad moments based on user habits and purchase signals.
Key Features and Partnerships
Advertisers can create custom offers, such as discounts, bundles, free shipping, price matches, or expedited delivery. Gemini’s AI analyzes chat context—like casual queries about products—to detect buying intent and display relevant ads at natural points. This makes promotions more flexible and effective than generic ads.
Initial partners include Petco, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Samsonite, and Walmart. These pilots focus on U.S. retailers, testing discounts and value-added deals. Ads draw from Google’s vast Shopping Graph, covering over 50 billion products with real-time pricing and availability. The system supports text chats now and may expand to image-based queries.
Technical Specs and Privacy
Powered by the advanced Gemini 3 model, the ads appear only in standalone Gemini AI mode, separate from search results. Timing relies on AI predictions from shopping habits, not fixed rules, ensuring non-intrusive displays during high-conversion moments.
Privacy is a priority: Google uses only ephemeral conversation data, without storing or sharing personal info across sessions. Retailers set offer details, while Google handles personalization. Rollout starts in the U.S., with global plans after pilot feedback. This builds on Gemini 3’s edge over rivals like GPT-5, leveraging Google’s search strength.