According to Google, Universal Cart is not only a place to save products, but the service also monitors price drops, historical price data and stock levels. Utilizing the company's Gemini AI model, the shopping cart can also perform compatibility checks. An example shown during the presentation was how the system automatically warns if a consumer adds computer components from different retailers that are incompatible, then suggests alternative products.
Checkout And Protocols
The service is integrated with Google Wallet to manage loyalty programs and is built on "Universal Commerce Protocol" (UCP) – an open standard that Google launched earlier in 2026. UCP allows customers to either complete the purchase directly within Google's interface or transfer the products to the e-commerce retailer’s own website. Regardless of which option the customer chooses, the e-commerce retailer remains the formal seller (merchant of record).
Among the initial partners are players such as Nike, Sephora, Target, Walmart and merchants connected to Shopify.
Autonomous Purchases Via AI Agents
In connection with Universal Cart, Google also updated its "Agent Payments Protocol" (AP2). The protocol enables AI agents to make purchases on behalf of the user.
Google describes the function on its official blog:
Specify which brands and products you want, as well as your budget, and the agent will complete the purchase when your criteria are met.
The system uses digital mandates to create traceability between customer, merchant and payment provider. The latest update also added support for payments where the user is not present ("Human Not Present" payments), opening up for fully autonomous transactions.
From Approval To Fully Autonomous Purchases
The implementation of AP2 will initially take place via Google's new AI agent "Gemini Spark". This is a cloud-based service designed to handle tasks in the background. By default, the system is set to request user approval before a financial transaction is completed, to ensure control.
Consumers can however choose to utilize the full potential of the AP2 protocol by giving the agent specific mandates to act autonomously. By setting up strict, predefined rules – for example, a maximum budget for a specific item or instructions to purchase limited tickets exactly when they are released – the agent can complete the purchase on its own as soon as the conditions are met, without the customer needing to approve it in the moment.
Rollout During 2026
Gemini Spark will be rolled out as a beta version for subscribers of Google AI Ultra in the USA during late May 2026.
Universal Cart launches in the USA during the summer of 2026, initially via the Gemini app and then integrated into Youtube and Gmail. The company plans to expand the UCP infrastructure to Canada and Australia in the coming months, followed by Great Britain.