Google’s AI can now call local businesses to collect information related to pricing and availability on your behalf.

Here’s how this new feature works:

Highlights

• Google Search now lets users ask AI to call local businesses to check prices, availability, and service details.
• Calls are made using Google’s Duplex and Gemini AI technologies, and results are shared via text or email.
• Only businesses ranking in local search results are contacted, making search visibility even more important.
• The new feature will only be available in the U.S, while usage limit will differ for Ultra and AI Pro subscribers.

Google has officially introduced an AI-powered calling feature that allows users to gather information from local businesses without picking up the phone.

This update to Google Search means users can now request prices, availability, and service details from multiple businesses at once, and let Google’s AI handle the rest. It’s a small change that could have a big impact on how people plan and book services.

Whether you’re looking for a pet groomer, car mechanic, or dry cleaner, Search now offers a new option: “Have AI check pricing.” Once selected, users are guided through a quick form, and Google takes over from there, placing AI-generated calls to relevant local businesses and delivering the answers back to the user.

What’s Actually Happening?

Google’s new AI feature is rolling out across the U.S. and is currently focused on specific service-based businesses, including pet grooming, dry cleaning, and auto repair.

Here’s how it works:

1. A user searches for a local service (for example, “dog grooming nearby”).
2. A new prompt appears under qualifying listings: “Have AI check pricing.”
3. Clicking the prompt opens a short form. Users provide relevant details like the type of pet, breed, preferred services (e.g., nail trim, haircut), desired time-frame, and how they’d like to receive updates (SMS or email).
4. Google’s AI then calls local businesses that appear in the search results.
5. The AI introduces itself as calling from Google to collect information on behalf of a customer.
6. Once responses are received, users get a consolidated summary including prices, available appointment slots, and any additional service details.

It’s a smooth, step-by-step process that removes the back-and-forth phone calls many people typically go through just to compare options.

Who Gets Contacted?

The AI doesn’t randomly call every nearby business. Instead, it selects businesses that already show up in Google’s local search results. This means visibility on Google matters more than ever, and only businesses that are actively ranking for relevant queries will be contacted.

And it’s not just about being listed. Businesses must also meet the specific criteria provided by the user in the request form. If a pet groomer doesn’t handle large dogs, for example, it won’t be called for a service request involving a Labrador.

Google’s AI Will Do the Talking and Gather Important Information

The new calling feature using which Google’s AI can now call local businesses, uses Google Duplex, the same technology that previously handled things like restaurant bookings and salon appointments. This time, it’s powered by Google’s Gemini AI models, which allow the system to ask follow-up questions and provide more accurate responses.

When Google’s AI calls a local business, it clearly introduces itself as an automated assistant from Google. It stays polite, direct, and focused on collecting the exact details users requested.

Once the calls are completed, users receive a summary with all the important information like prices, availability, and service options presented in a clean, easy-to-scan format. No need for voicemails, callbacks, or note-taking. Google takes care of it all.

What About Businesses?

Business owners do have a say. Google allows them to opt out of receiving these AI-generated calls through their Business Profile settings.

Still, Google is presenting this as a chance for businesses to connect with potential customers who are actively looking for services. Those who respond quickly and clearly may be more likely to convert leads into bookings, without any effort spent answering the phone themselves.

It’s also worth noting that Google’s AI calls to local businesses could become more frequent over time, as more users start relying on this new feature. Businesses may want to consider how they handle inbound calls and whether their current systems can accommodate automated inquiries.

Premium Access Gets More Reach

While Google’s AI calling features will initially be rolled out to all users in the U.S., Google has added a few additionally perks for subscribers of its AI Pro and AI Ultra plans.

These subscribers benefit from higher usage limits, meaning they can request more quotes or services within a shorter time frame. They also gain access to enhanced features like Gemini 2.5 Pro, which supports more advanced reasoning for tasks involving maths, code, or research.

There’s also testing underway for Deep Search in AI Mode, a new approach where Google’s AI creates longer, more thoughtful answers to complex queries. These upgrades suggest Google is steadily moving toward a more active role in how people find and decide on services.

Why Does This Feature Matters?

The ability to collect real-world service information through Google’s AI calls to local businesses is more than just a time-saver, but it also reflects how search is changing. People no longer want just a list of links. They want answers, comparisons, and decisions made easier.

This AI feature steps in at exactly that point of need. It saves users from having to repeat the same questions across multiple businesses.

And for users who aren’t comfortable making phone calls, especially younger generations who prefer texting and digital forms of communication, this might become their default way of getting things done.

What to Expect Next?

Google hasn’t shared timelines for expanding this feature internationally or to more types of businesses, but history suggests more industries and regions will be added in the near future.

Google’s AI calls for businesses could eventually handle everything from checking hotel availability to confirming medical appointment slots, or even gathering quotes from home maintenance services.

For now, it’s a strong signal that Google Search is shifting from simply showing information to taking real action on the user’s behalf. And it’s only just getting started.

As Google continues its push towards AI advancements, ensuring your business is visible on Google maps for relevant search queries has become more important than ever. Collaborating with a professional SEO agency cannot only help your business to stay relevant but also rank on top for all relevant search queries to take advantage of AI-driven opportunities.