Auto browse in Chrome

Use Gemini in Chrome to research a small purchase across websites and return a shortlist you can check. This first task stops at comparison, giving you a manageable way to learn the browsing controls.

Before you start

• An adult personal-account user in the US with Google AI Pro or Ultra and access to auto browse. Google is rolling it out gradually.
• An updated Chrome browser on a Mac, Windows computer, or Chromebook Plus, signed in to that personal Google Account, with Gemini in Chrome enabled and the device language set to English.
• Standard or Enhanced Safe Browsing protection. Use a normal browser window; auto browse is unavailable in Incognito, Live chats, and Chrome on iPhone or iPad.
• A product to compare, a budget, and three requirements; for example, a USB-C hub under $60 with HDMI, two USB-A ports, and a charging port.

Want to do it yourself?

Difficulty

6 out of 10

Estimated completion time

30–60 minutes

Skills you’ll need: Define a comparison and stopping point, review the browsing plan, and verify shortlisted items on the actual pages.

I’ll do it myselfI’d rather get help

How this helps your brand

A checked shortlist helps you choose a purchase against your own requirements. Verifying the exact variant and price reduces the chance that an attractive summary leads to an unsuitable business tool.

1. 1

   Step 1: Define a comparison with a clear stopping point

   Write down what a useful answer must contain: three options, links to their product pages, prices, and evidence for each required feature. Choose an item you understand well enough to check.

   Include exclusions. For this first task, tell Gemini to research public pages without signing in, adding items to a cart, or buying anything.

2. 2

   Step 2: Open Gemini and review its plan

   Click Ask Gemini at the top of Chrome, enter the prompt below, and submit it. Read the proposed plan and check the task, page context, and personal information it intends to use. Click Start Task only when those match your request.

   If auto browse is missing, check the prerequisites and rollout status. An ordinary chat response alone does not show that a browsing task has started.

   Illustrated exampleA browsing plan with a visible finish line

   Example plan to review

   Compare USB-C hubs

   Budget: under US$60

   • HDMI
   • Two USB-A ports
   • USB-C charging input

   Page context

   Public product pages

   Personal information

   No sign-in or form submissions

   The proposed route

   1. 1
      Read the specs

      Use public retailer pages.

   2. 2
      Compare exact models

      Check all three required features.

   3. 3
      Return the evidence

      Three options, links, prices, and currency.

   Finish: comparison delivered

   No cart. No purchase.

   Use Start Task only when the proposed plan matches this scope.

3. 3

   Step 3: Watch the research and handle interruptions

   Use Switch tabs beside the task to view its browsing tab. Keep your computer and Chrome awake while it uses your local browser. Google may ask you to connect auto browse to Gemini the first time.

   If a site requires an account, ask for another public source for this exercise. You can use Take over task on the task tab to handle a step yourself, then Resume or Give back task to continue.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check the shortlist against the actual pages

   Open the product links yourself. Check the exact model and variant, price currency, and each required port or feature. A similar product name is not enough.

   Mark missing evidence as unknown. If a result fails a requirement, ask Gemini to replace just that option and explain which requirement it missed. Treat prices as observations to recheck before buying.

   Illustrated exampleCheck the evidence behind every option

   Fictional shortlist · example pricesEach requirement needs its own evidence.

   Example USB-C hub comparison. Hub A meets the requirements, Hub B needs replacing, and Hub C needs charging evidence.

   Exact model / price	HDMI	USB-A	Charging input	Your decision
   Hub A · H6US$49 · page A	Listed	2 ports	USB-C PD input	Keep
   Hub B · MiniUS$39 · page B	Listed	1 port only	USB-C PD input	Replace
   Hub C · C7US$55 · page C	Listed	2 ports	Unknown	Check evidence

   Page C · specification excerptUSB-C data port: 5 Gbps

   Data port does not prove charging.Keep charging marked unknown until the exact model’s page confirms a charging input.

   Targeted follow-upReplace Hub B. It has one USB-A port; I need two. Keep the other requirements.

5. 5

   Step 5: Stop a task that drifts beyond the brief

   If the task heads toward a purchase or unrelated account, take over and stop it. To completely cancel, use Stop in the Gemini text box. Stopping browser activity in the side panel can leave Gemini trying another way to continue.

   For a retry, narrow the task to one retailer or one missing feature. Save the checked shortlist with the date and your notes so the next decision starts from evidence.

Use auto browse to compare three [product type] options available from [retailers or country]. Budget: [amount and currency]. Required features: [three requirements].

Use public product pages. Do not sign in, add anything to a cart, purchase, or submit forms. Review your plan with me before starting. Return each exact model, product link, observed price and currency, and evidence for each requirement. Mark missing information as unknown. If fewer than three qualify, say so rather than filling the list with unsuitable products. Stop after the comparison.