Google will now call local stores for you

Google wants to save you from one of the most tedious shopping errands: calling around town to check if a store has something in stock. The company recently rolled out an agentic calling feature in the U.S. that lets AI handle those phone calls for you.

How Google calls stores for you

To use it, search on Google or in AI Mode for items like toys, electronics, or beauty products, and add "near me" or "nearby" to your prompt.

As you scroll down, you will see an option asking if you want Google to confirm stock nearby. Once clicked, you answer a few quick questions tailored to the specific product so the AI knows exactly what you need.

After that, you choose whether you want the final recap sent via text, email, or both. Google then rings the relevant local businesses and sends you a summary once the calls are wrapped up, covering stock status and potential discounts.

Why it matters

This is a surprisingly practical use case for AI agents. Instead of sitting through hold music or repeating the same question to three different stores, you just hand off the errand and wait for a text.

However, we think the real test will be on the merchant side. Local shops might not love an influx of automated calls asking about inventory, especially during busy hours. If Google manages to keep the friction low for store staff, this could quickly become the default way people hunt for local stock.