Google Rolls Out New Generative AI Tools to Create Product Images for US Advertisers

Google has introduced a suite of generative AI tools tailored for advertisers and merchants in the United States. Through the newly launched AI-powered Product Studio, merchants and advertisers can now harness text-to-image AI capabilities to generate fresh product imagery at no cost, merely by inputting a description of the desired image, TechCrunch reported.

Product Studio of Google

Initially announced in May, this tool is set to provide businesses with various benefits, allowing them to create distinct and customized product visuals, effectively meeting their marketing needs.

For instance, a skincare company looking to promote a seasonal variant of a product can request an image featuring the product "surrounded by peaches, with tropical plants in the background."

Moreover, the Product Studio enables businesses to swiftly remove complex backgrounds, opting for a plain white backdrop for their product images. Additionally, it offers the capability to enhance the resolution of small or low-quality photos without the need for a new photoshoot.

Merchants based in the US will gain access to the Product Studio through Merchant Center Next, an enhanced platform for listing products across Google. It will also be accessible to merchants utilizing the Google and YouTube app on Shopify.

Google Merchant Center Next

Google noted that over the past two years, the number of businesses utilizing Merchant Center has doubled, prompting efforts to enhance its functionality.

Merchant Center Next is designed to simplify the platform, particularly benefiting smaller merchants by streamlining their onboarding process, expanding their online presence, and fostering business growth.

Notably, the advanced features relied upon by larger retailers will remain intact. Google also aims to streamline the product feed setup.

Previously, new merchants on Google had to manually input product details like prices, images, and descriptions. In Merchant Center Next, this process will be automated, with the platform extracting relevant information from the merchant's website.

Merchants retain the ability to review and edit this information, providing a more efficient means of showcasing their products on Google. Furthermore, merchants will have consolidated access to performance insights through the Performance tab.

This centralized location will allow them to review top-selling products, understand their positioning relative to other businesses, and track customer engagement with their local establishment on Search and Maps.

Merchant Center Next will provide a consolidated perspective of all products for businesses operating both online and brick-and-mortar stores, streamlining the oversight of inventory across both platforms.

Moreover, it will furnish fresh insights into the advantages of rectifying product data discrepancies that assist merchants in determining update priorities.

The introduction of Merchant Center Next has commenced for new users. Merchants will be promptly notified once the enhanced experience is accessible to them, according to Google.