Google is adding new shopping features to Chrome.
Black Friday with all its offers is just around the corner. Appropriately, Google recently launched a shopping offensive for its Chrome browser and is expanding the browser with new features for online trading.
With the latest browser update two functions have now been added to make it easier for you to search for bargains shortly before Christmas.
This is a classic price tracker and a search function in the sidebar that makes it easier to research products. We will introduce you to the two new features in detail and reveal what else Google Chrome has recently changed in the shopping segment.
Google Chrome: price tracking without add-ons
Price comparison functions and add-ons are already a dime a dozen. Google Chrome has also had a price tracker for a while, but only in the mobile version. Now the function is also coming to the desktop. The new feature actually seems to offer a decent added value for everyone who likes to wait for the best offer instead of striking immediately.
Without installing any add-ons, you can soon save products as bookmarks in Chrome and then have Chrome notify you by e-mail if the object of your desire falls below a certain price in any online shop.
And while we’re on the subject of getting rid of add-ons: According to Google, you shouldn’t use the following browser extensions under any circumstances.
more on the subject
5 Chrome extensions that Google says you should definitely delete because they’re stealing your data
The Chrome feature seems to work in a similar way to price trackers from providers like Geizhals or Check24 – except that you don’t have to go to the appropriate website or create a new account in addition to your Google account.
The feature is currently in the rollout phase. We weren’t able to test it in action ourselves as of this writing, as the feature hasn’t reached us yet. In its blog post about the new functions, however, Google has included an image of what the price tracker looks like in the US version of the browser.
This is what the price comparison in Google Chrome should look like.
Google Chrome: Product research in the sidebar
The new sidebar search seems to be primarily a convenience feature. This is already known from the Edge browser, which is also based on Chromium. But now it has also made it into the Google counterpart.
As you can see from our pictures, you open the sidebar search by pressing the Google logo at the top of the search bar. A classic Google search in a small format will then open on the right-hand side.
We found the new feature to be quite convenient, especially when researching more expensive products. This way we didn’t have to leave the shop page and were still able to look for different specifications, reviews and competing products before deciding to buy.
Via the G in the search bar we open the sidebar search.
Chrome updates: Matching Black Friday
We don’t think it’s a coincidence that the new shopping features are coming right now. In a few weeks, Black Friday will be the busiest day of the year. Many people take advantage of the big discounts and buy big purchases or Christmas gifts for the following month.
The two features that Google is now rolling out can optimize the user experience, especially when shopping online.
If you’re looking for a little more curated tech and hardware selection for the discount days, check out our own Black Friday overview page. There you will already find some offers that we think are really worthwhile.
Black Friday 2022 on GameStar: The best deals for players!
Do you find the two new Chrome features useful? Have you perhaps even used them? Or are they just gimmicks that Google invests unnecessarily in? Write us your opinion in the comments!
