Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP)

Definition

An Apache 2.0 protocol for discovery, carts, checkout, identity linking and orders between platforms and businesses, governed by a Tech Council led by Google and Shopify.

Example

Google runs UCP checkout in AI Mode and Gemini for select merchants. support.google.com, read 4 Nov 2026.

Where it appears in the sourced facts

• Shopify announced UCP on 11 Jan 2026 as an open standard co-developed with Google, endorsed by more than 20 retailers and platforms and compatible with any payment processor. shopify.com, read 4 Nov 2026. In Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).
• Businesses publish their UCP profile at /.well-known/ucp; platforms send their own profile URI per request in the UCP-Agent header. ucp.dev, read 4 Nov 2026. In Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).
• Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce and Stripe joined the UCP Tech Council on 24 Apr 2026, alongside current members Google, Shopify, Etsy, Target and Wayfair. github.com, read 4 Nov 2026. In Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).
• Google's Merchant Center help says UCP checkout puts a Buy button on eligible listings in AI Mode and Gemini "while keeping you the merchant of record", for select merchants, using standard card numbers (FPANs) from Google Wallet today. support.google.com, read 4 Nov 2026. In Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).
• Shopify made its UCP agent access self-serve in the Spring 26 Edition developer post on 17 Jun 2026: developers register an agent profile and call the public MCP endpoint without approval. shopify.com, read 4 Nov 2026. In Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).

Nearby terms

• Agent Payments Protocol (AP2)
• Mandate
• Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP)
• All terms