AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Google has begun testing purchases from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India, TechCrunch reported on September 27, 2026. Select users can tap a Buy button on eligible listings and enter a Flipkart-branded checkout flow without leaving the AI interface.
The limited trial covers a small selection of smartphones, electronics and mobile accessories. TechCrunch reported that Google plans a broader rollout later in October, ahead of India's festive shopping season, although Google did not confirm that timetable.
From Discovery to Checkout
The test extends Google's AI shopping experience beyond product search and recommendations into transactions. Users outside the trial continue to see standard Flipkart listings without a direct purchase option, indicating that the feature is not yet generally available.
The checkout implementation also appears distinct from the Google-hosted purchasing experience previously demonstrated for Gemini and AI Mode. TechCrunch said the tested Buy button opens a Flipkart-branded flow, while the underlying technology has not been disclosed.
Limited Retailer Support
Direct checkout is not available for every retailer shown by Google's AI services. In the experience reviewed by TechCrunch, Amazon listings appeared alongside Flipkart products but lacked the Buy option. Flipkart did not respond to the publication's request for comment.
Google acknowledged that it routinely tests features intended to connect users with businesses but provided no further details. Earlier in September, the company identified Flipkart as a partner for its planned AI-assisted shopping experiences in India without revealing the scope or rollout schedule of this test.
Commerce Infrastructure
Google introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) earlier in 2026 as an open standard for interactions between AI agents and retailers, including checkout and transfers to merchant websites. It remains unclear whether UCP powers the Flipkart trial.
The companies also have a financial relationship: Google invested about $350 million in Flipkart in 2024, taking a minority stake during a funding round led by Walmart. The current experiment arrives as Flipkart and Amazon compete for shoppers in India's market of more than one billion internet subscribers.
Source: Google tests buying from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India
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