Google’s AI-Powered Store Reviews: A Game-Changer for Shoppers or a Nightmare for Businesses?

Web browsing researcher Leo discovered a new AI-powered feature recently added in Google Chrome. The upcoming addition in Google Chrome will let users give a quick summary of websites or stores that they are visiting online. This will be done with the help of artificial intelligence so users can have short reviews about the websites they are about to visit. This new feature is called “Store Reviews”. The reviews won't be summarized randomly, rather AI reviews will come from trusted review websites like ScamAdvisor, Trustpilot and some other review websites that users use to write their reviews.

The website summary will be in the page info bubble. Page info bubble is in the address bar, next to the website URL, and it is usually denoted with a lock icon or ‘i’ icon. When users click on it, some tabs about site information are present there and “Store Reviews” will be one of them. For instance, if a user visits X on a website, they can click on the lock icon to have information about the website. Once a user clicks on Store Reviews, they will be able to see what other people are saying about X and multiple sources will be used.

It will be a great feature to help users understand the trustworthiness and credibility of the website. Another thing is that this feature isn't the only AI update coming to Google Chrome. AI is also going to provide protection from viruses, dangerous downloads and suspicious sites. It is being referred to AI-Powered Protection and it will be on Google Chrome in upcoming months.

The introduction of Google Chrome's AI-powered "Store Reviews" feature could significantly impact eCommerce websites, SEOs, webmasters, and marketers. For eCommerce platforms, trust signals from credible reviews might boost conversions if the reviews are positive. However, businesses with less favorable reviews could face declining traffic or sales as users make decisions directly from the page info bubble. For SEOs, this feature emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stellar online reputation on sites like Trustpilot and ScamAdvisor, as these reviews will influence user trust more than organic search results alone. Webmasters must prioritize building secure, credible sites to avoid being flagged by Chrome’s AI-Powered Protection for suspicious behavior. Marketers may need to pivot their strategies to incorporate robust reputation management and leverage these summaries to highlight brand strengths.

On the other hand, Google might integrate its ecosystem further by incorporating Google Maps data or ads into these summaries, offering businesses new advertising opportunities while also presenting challenges to those aiming to rank organically. This evolution could reshape how users interact with websites and make decisions online.

The "Store Reviews" feature has sparked debate among users. Some fear the risks of LLM hallucinations falsely labeling malicious websites as trustworthy, potentially misleading users into dangerous interactions. Others argue that even an imperfect LLM is an improvement, as it offers quick insights and helps less tech-savvy users navigate online risks, though more discerning users may still rely on personal judgment and tools for protection.

These updates also come at a time when Google faces increasing pressure from the DOJ regarding Chrome’s dominance in the browser market. If such features lead to a tighter integration of Google services, critics might argue it further solidifies Google’s market hold, raising antitrust concerns. This could intensify scrutiny over whether Chrome’s innovations truly serve users or unfairly promote Google’s ecosystem.

Read next:

• Apple’s Old iPhones Reign Supreme As World’s Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2024

• Data Shows How Much Big Tech CEOs Pay for their Annual Security Costs

• Baby Boomers Embrace Digital, Spending More Time Online Than Ever Before
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World