Use Google Assistant™ to make payments with your voice

To begin using Google Assistant, you only need to say, “Hey Google” or “OK Google.” Then, you can voice any number of commands, whether you want to:

• Do an online search query 
• Adjust your thermostat 
• Start a new song playlist 

However, it’s possible to send and receive money — just by using your voice. 

Making payments through Google Assistant

The ability to send and receive money through Google isn’t entirely new. The company already has Google Pay™ — a virtual wallet that allows customers to purchase items at any POS terminal that leverages near field communication (NFC) technology. 

You can also use Google Pay for online purchases, in-app transactions, and even for peer-to-peer payments with family and friends. 

Though with Google Assistant’s voice component, money transfers could become significantly easier for users (and more profitable for merchants). 

Making peer-to-peer payments with your voice

The setup process for Google Assistant is very similar to Google Pay’s. In both cases, users must first link their credit card or bank account to their smartphones, tablets, or smart home devices.¹ 

To send a payment through Google Pay, however, you must open the app, type in your details, and click send. 

By contrast, Google Assistant allows you to simply say, “Hey Google! Send John $35 for those football tickets.” 

You’ll then be prompted for confirmation, and you can authorize the transfer by approving with voice match, fingerprint, or face scan depending on your device. 

John must also be signed up for Google Pay to receive the funds. He’ll receive a message via email, text, or in-app notification of funds received. 

This process can also work in reverse when requesting money. Simply speak the words, “Hey Google! Request $20 from Charlotte for last night’s dinner.” The entire process works in the opposite direction, with Charlotte using her Google Pay or Google Assistant to send money directly to you. 

Free to use, Google Assistant’s payment function is currently available in a select number of countries and it supports 44 languages on smartphones.²  However, the applications of this voice-activated technology extend well beyond sending money to family and friends. 

How Google Assistant could impact eCommerce for the better

In our on-demand culture, ordering everyday items or fast food is simplified with the use of Google Assistant.

Just imagine running out of toilet paper. If you can order a new pack simply by speaking into your phone, this means you won’t have to: 

• Write a grocery list that you hang on the refrigerator 
• Log onto your computer and load an online shopping cart 
• Fumble with your phone to swipe, click, or open the right app 

Simply say, “Hey Google! Order more toilet paper from the XYZ store.”  Just like that, the store has made another sale. Chalk it up to another frictionless customer shopping experience.

Are payments made through Google Assistant secure?

While no payment technology is 100 percent secure, Google Assistant employs advanced security methods to help prevent fraud. Credit card information is encrypted on the device, making it inaccessible to potential thieves. To initiate payments, you must have physical access to the card-enabled device itself. Moreover, you must input a password, confirm with voice match, or use your fingerprint or facial scan to complete the transaction.

If you’re interested in learning more about the latest payment technology trends, follow our blog. Or, to learn about accepting contactless NFC payments, like Google Pay, at your business, schedule a free consultation with our merchant services team today.

1 “Set up payments for Google Assistant on speaker or display,” Google Support
2 “Language Support in Voice Assistants Compared,” Globalme, 5 January 2021

Editorial Team

Ecommerce, Insights, Mobile, Payments & processing

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