Date:
January 31, 2025
Google’s new “Ask for Me” feature lets AI call businesses for you, handling price checks and appointment bookings at nail salons and auto shops. No more waiting on hold - just enter your request, and AI does the rest.
Google is experimenting with a new AI-powered feature, Ask for Me, that can call local businesses on behalf of users to inquire about service pricing and availability. The feature, currently available for select users in the U.S. through Google’s Search Labs, is designed to assist with scheduling appointments at nail salons and auto repair shops.
Instead of waiting on hold or struggling to reach a busy shop, users can simply enter their request in Google Search, and the AI will handle the call. The system asks relevant questions, gathers responses, and then summarizes the results via text or email.
Users who have opted into Search Labs can access the feature when searching for services like “oil change near me” or “nail salon nearby.” A prompt labeled “Ask for Me” appears, allowing users to specify the exact service they need.
After gathering these details, Google’s AI calls businesses using a natural-sounding voice powered by its Duplex technology. It’s the same AI system used for making restaurant reservations and updating store hours in Google Maps. Users typically receive a response within 30 minutes.
Google’s Bigger AI Vision: Automated Customer Service
Google’s product lead, Rose Yao, confirmed the feature in a post on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that it helps businesses keep their information up to date while making service inquiries more convenient for customers.
Google spokesperson Craig Ewer emphasized that the AI always announces that it is an automated system when making a call. Ewer stated:
“Every call begins by announcing that it’s an automated system calling from Google on behalf of a user.”
Additionally, businesses have the option to opt out of receiving these AI-generated calls through their Google Business Profile settings. Google has also implemented call quotas to prevent businesses from being overwhelmed by AI calls.
The Future of Hands-Free Customer Service
Google has been steadily integrating AI into its ecosystem to assist with customer interactions. Last year, it introduced “Talk to a Live Rep,” a feature that calls businesses on a user’s behalf, waits on hold, and connects them when a human agent is available. The success of Ask for Me could determine whether Google expands the feature to other service-based businesses.
