Google Launches Universal Cart as Intelligent Shopping Hub to Connect Omnichannel Purchase Journeys

According to foreign media reports, during the recently held Google I/O 2026 conference, Google officially launched the Universal Cart, a one-stop intelligent shopping management hub, and simultaneously announced updates to its Agent Payment Protocol (AP2). The related technologies will be integrated into Google's own products in the coming months, enabling users to authorize agents to complete payment operations.

It is reported that with Universal Cart, users can add items of interest across Google's entire ecosystem, including Google Search, Gemini conversations, YouTube browsing, and Gmail reading. After adding items, the system automatically tracks promotional offers, monitors price fluctuations, displays historical price data, and sends notifications when items are back in stock.

This system adapts to users' habits of shopping across devices, retailers, and over multiple time periods, and is equipped with AI-assisted decision-making features. For instance, when a user assembles a custom PC and adds components from multiple merchants, the system can flag issues like processor-motherboard incompatibility and suggest alternatives. After linking Google Wallet, frequent travelers or loyalty points users can access hidden offers to optimize the efficiency of their points usage.

Based on Google's open standard Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), users can directly check out at partner merchants through Google or be redirected to the merchant's independent website to complete the purchase.

Universal Cart launched in the US on the day of its announcement, will be integrated into the Gemini app in the summer of 2026, and will subsequently expand to YouTube and Gmail. The UCP is also being extended to categories like hotels and local food delivery. These services will expand from the US to Canada and Australia in the coming months, followed by the UK.

Additionally, the Agent Payment Protocol AP2, also announced by Google, is specifically designed for AI agents to securely make payments on behalf of users within pre-set boundaries. Users can set allowed brand categories and spending limits, and the AI agent will automatically complete purchases when conditions are met.

At the underlying technical level, AP2 establishes a transparent and verifiable link between the user, merchant, and payment institution. It encrypts user data throughout the process and incorporates tamper-proof digital records to ensure the agent always operates according to the user's preset rules, while also maintaining a permanent audit trail for reference by both buyers and sellers in handling returns, exchanges, or disputes. Once AP2 is integrated into Google's own products, Google will gain direct access to the full-funnel user data, from product discovery and consideration to the final purchase.