6 back-to-school shopping tricks every student should know

Back to school shopping is about fresh starts, but it can also get overwhelming. To help students find everything on their lists with ease, we’re sharing six ways to simplify your shopping with Google, plus the top back-to-school shopping trends of the season.

1. Do (shopping) homework before you buy.

Online shopping has evolved from one- or two-keyword searches (like, say, “tote bag”) to longer, more detailed queries that describe exactly what you want. When you’re looking for something specific, try asking questions to AI Mode in Search like you would a friend. Ask for the pros and cons of popular lightweight tote bags for campus, or search by your vibe and budget with a request like “cozy sweaters that feel like a hoodie but look like I tried for less than $80.” If you need help buying supplies for something you’re not familiar with — like what you need to make matcha in your dorm room, you’ll get product ideas and tips on what to look for in a dorm kettle. Google has the world’s most comprehensive catalog of products and offers, so you can make confident choices.

2. Connect your apps for the most personalized responses.

Your shopping experience should reflect your interests. In fact, 75% of college students say they want to shop from a personalized selection of products that prioritizes their favorite brands, sizes and styles. ¹ Personal Intelligence lets you choose to securely connect the dots across your apps (like Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Photos), tailoring your shopping results across AI Mode in Search. The result is shopping recommendations that are even more “you.”

For example, say you’re looking for a duvet cover to match your new dorm room vibe. If you’ve chosen to connect Gmail, you’ll get suggestions for products that will fit your mattress size and your style based on your campus housing assignment emails and past decor purchases.

3. Make Lens your shopping buddy.

Shopping in a store for unique dorm decor? If you spot a cool vintage chair, snap a photo using Google Lens to learn more about the style, find similar items online or options in a different color. Lens is also great for style inspiration. If a friend is raving about their comfy new clogs, just take a picture to see where you can buy yourself a pair.

4. Stay on budget.

Essentials for your first apartment can add up. Before you buy that coffee maker or vacuum, do a quick price check. You can tap on a product listing to compare prices across different stores. Then click the three dots by a merchant’s price to see a three-month price history that shows whether the current price is high, low or typical. Still not ready to buy? Tap “Track price” and you’ll get an alert the second it drops.

5. Find items in stock nearby.

Need to pick up some extra storage bins or desk organizers after settling into your dorm? To find products that are available close to you, simply type what you’re looking for with “near me” or “nearby.” You can also look for the “nearby” label on product listings or use the “Nearby” filter to see what’s available locally.

6. Try before you buy.

Want to experiment with a new fashion trend this school year? Our virtual try-on technology lets you skip the dressing room. Click an item you like in Search, then tap the “Try it on” button and select or upload a photo to see how the style looks before you add it to your cart.

With smarter shopping tools doing the heavy lifting, you can head into the new school year with a space, style and routine that are entirely your own.

Back-to-school Shopping Is Staging a Triumphant Return

The six essential back-to-school shopping tricks include doing detailed search homework, connecting apps for personalized matching, using Google Lens as a visual shopping buddy, tracking price drops, filtering for in-stock nearby items, and using virtual try-on tools. [1, 2, 3]

1. Do Your (Shopping) Homework Before You Buy

Use detailed, long-tail search queries instead of basic keywords to find the exact style or product you need.
Ask specific questions using tools like AI Mode in Search to narrow down precise item variations or shopping routes. [1, 2, 4]

2. Connect Your Apps for Tailored Recommendations

Link your retailer or campus applications to get highly personalized suggestions for your specific needs.
Syncing your university housing details can automatically trigger product recommendations that perfectly match your exact mattress size and dorm layout. [1, 3]

3. Make Google Lens Your Visual Shopping Buddy

Snap photos of outfits or decor you see in public using Google Lens to instantly identify online buying options.
Use existing screenshots from your camera roll to track down matching colors, alternative sizes, or cheaper duplicates. [3, 5, 6]

4. Rely on Three-Month Price History Data

Check price history directly on product listings to see if the current price is high, low, or typical for that item.
Tap “Track Price” to set up immediate mobile notifications for when the cost of an expensive item drops. [2, 7]

5. Filter for Local Items In-Stock Nearby

Use the “Nearby” search filter to check exactly what is sitting on local store shelves before heading out.
Prevent frustrating, out-of-stock item substitutions when ordering online by isolating local merchant inventory. [1, 8, 9, 10]

6. Try Clothes On Virtually First

Skip physical dressing room lines by utilizing Google’s Virtual Try-On tool directly in your mobile search results.
Select or upload a personal photo to accurately view how trending apparel, shoes, or even beauty products look on you. [5, 10, 11]