Google’s Chrome web browser will now show you AI-generated reviews of stores online, using a mix of data from partners and verified users, the company said in a blog post Monday.
When you click on the icon on the left of the address bar, Google will use AI to tell you what the product quality is like, customer service quality, shipping times, pricing and return metrics, all at a glance. The feature pulls data from sites such as PowerReviews, Reputation.com, TrustPilot and others. It’ll also include data from verified reviews.
The feature is only available for English desktop users at the moment, and Google hasn’t confirmed when it’ll land for mobile devices, according to TechCrunch. Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chrome is currently the world’s most popular web browser, with 68% global market share, according to GlobalStats by Statcounter. Even though Google has a commanding lead, the desire to fill it with more generative AI features comes as Perplexity, another AI search engine and generative chatbot, launched its own AI-powered web browser earlier this month.
Reports are already starting to surfaced that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is also prepping the launch of an AI web browser. Chrome’s dominance helps Google secure key user data, which helps advertisers target consumers. Advertising is how Google makes a majority of its revenues. Increased competition from AI companies might upend the global browser market, which could spell trouble for Google.
Not only does Google own the most popular web browser, it also owns the world’s most popular search engine. Google rose to the top by securing deals with companies like Apple and Samsung, making Google the default option on their devices. This system led a US court to rule that Google was illegally maintaining dominance in the search engine market. A judge wants Google to sell off Chrome.