Google is introducing a new AI-driven tool to help small businesses optimize their product images on ecommerce stores. Called Product Studio, the new tool uses generative AI to make product images stand out, saving merchants money on expensive photography. Product Studio consists of features such as adding a custom background to create a lifestyle image, as well as adjusting the image resolution and scaling up the images. The tool is expected to be available within the US-based Merchant Center Next (MCN) and Google & YouTube app on Shopify in the “next few months”, with a global rollout expected by 2024.
Google knows the importance of standing out from the crowd in an online store, with product listing images reaping rewards as far as increasing impressions by 76% and clicks by 32%. Product Studio allows businesses to keep up with the competition without breaking the bank.
Merchant Center Next is the simplified version of the traditional Merchant Center, specifically designed for smaller businesses and startups. The platform makes it easier to list products and offers the possibility of automatically detecting store information from the website, encouraging usage of the Google platform.
Google provides a great aid for small businesses trying to get a foothold in the ecommerce world. Being able to cheaply and effectively optimize product images is a major advantage for businesses who are often limited by the need to spend significant amounts of money on photography. Product Studio provides a mechanism for businesses to showcase their products and help them get the exposure they need to jumpstart their business.
