Google Tests In-AI Checkout for Flipkart Purchases in India

Google has begun a small-scale test in India that lets shoppers buy products from Walmart-owned Flipkart directly through Gemini and AI Mode. Select users see a "Buy" button on some Flipkart listings, which takes them to a Flipkart-branded checkout flow without leaving the AI interface.

The early test is limited to certain users and a small range of products, including smartphones, electronics, and mobile accessories. Other users still see regular Flipkart listings in Gemini and AI Mode without the direct purchase option. Google plans to expand the experience more broadly later in October 2026, ahead of India's festive shopping season.

A Google spokesperson said the company is "always testing new features and experiences to help people discover and connect with businesses more easily," adding that it regularly runs experiments and has no further details to share.

The test comes as Google and rivals such as OpenAI add commerce capabilities to their AI offerings, moving beyond product recommendations toward a more direct role in online purchases. Google has also been building related infrastructure, including the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to let AI agents interact with retailers across the shopping journey, including checkout. Earlier this month, Google named Flipkart among the merchants partnering with it to bring "agentic" shopping experiences to consumers in India.

Google also holds a financial stake in Flipkart, having invested about $350 million in the e-commerce company in 2024 as part of a funding round led by Walmart, taking a minority stake.