Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol, connecting with AI agents for purchasing goods.

Google has launched a new open standard, the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), to support e-commerce transactions via AI agents at every stage, from product search and purchase to after-sales support.

Google states that previously, adapting online stores to support AI agents required customization to work with agents from different vendors. UCP addresses this by enabling compatibility with existing AI protocols such as A2A, AP2, and MCP.

UCP was developed in collaboration with e-commerce industry stakeholders including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart, as well as payment systems like American Express, Mastercard, Stripe, and Visa.

Google says the UCP standard will enhance the shopping capabilities of Google's AI services using AI agents, including purchasing products from search results in AI Mode in Search or directly through the Gemini app (US only). Additionally, it will improve Business Agent chatbots, which will appear directly on search results, providing additional product information.