Square has expanded its partnership with Google to integrate U.S. food and beverage sellers directly into Ask Maps, a conversational AI experience within Google Maps where consumers can discover restaurants and place orders through natural queries, according to an announcement made by Square on a Tuesday. The integration allows eligible sellers who maintain a Google Business Profile to surface in Ask Maps results automatically, syncing menu items, operating hours, and location details directly from the Square Dashboard without requiring added setup fees, new tools, or separate contracts.
How Conversational AI Changes Restaurant Discovery
Consumer habits are shifting away from rigid keyword searches toward conversational prompts like, “Order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home,” according to statements released by Block. Through the expanded partnership, Square sellers can appear directly within these AI-powered answers. According to Morgan Kuntze, Global Partnerships Lead at Block, the integration ensures businesses show up in emerging consumer conversations without requiring manual updates across multiple digital channels.
Pro Tip for Sellers: Ensure your Google Business Profile is fully updated and connected to your Square Dashboard to take advantage of real-time menu and hour synchronization for Ask Maps.
Streamlining the Ordering Journey From Search to Checkout
The collaboration extends past basic discovery by allowing U.S. customers to browse real-time menus, customize orders, and complete transactions using Order by Cash App directly inside Ask Maps. According to company details, completed orders route immediately into a seller’s existing infrastructure, including point-of-sale systems and Kitchen Display Systems, eliminating the need for extra operational steps.
“Connecting with our community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Andrew Costaris, Digital VP at Partners Coffee, noting that digital interactions often begin long before a customer steps foot inside a cafe. According to Costaris, integrations that accurately display operating hours and seasonal drink menus help maintain intentional customer touchpoints across digital and physical spaces.
Expanding Agentic Commerce Through the Universal Commerce Protocol
The announcement represents an initial phase in a broader collaboration between Square and Google aimed at shaping agentic commerce across the tech giant’s ecosystem. As part of this ongoing effort, Square, Google, and industry peers are actively expanding the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to make food ordering journeys more intuitive within AI platforms.
Did You Know? Square began in 2009 with the release of a mobile card reader that altered how small businesses process payments, eventually growing into a global platform supporting millions of sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Square sellers need to pay extra to appear in Ask Maps?
No. According to Square, menu and location syncing happens automatically through the Square Dashboard with no added setup, contracts, or fees required for eligible sellers.
How do orders placed through Ask Maps reach the kitchen?
Orders flow directly into a seller’s existing Square setup, including the POS and Kitchen Display System, without requiring manual entry or extra configuration.
What payment methods can customers use in Ask Maps?
U.S. customers can complete their checkout directly within Ask Maps using Order by Cash App.
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