Google Search Is Becoming Irrelevant for E-commerce

I’m usually an early adopter, so I see shifts happening before they go mainstream. Lately, when I need a product—say, a new supplement—I don’t start by Googling or searching Amazon.

Instead, I ask ChatGPT:

• “What’s the best probiotic for gut health?”
• “Which brands offer this strain and why?”

It does a great job of explaining exactly what I need, breaking down the science, and recommending brands. Only then do I go and Google it for additional verification before buying.

This is the shift we’re seeing—AI is replacing search as the first point of discovery.

What Does This Mean for the Future of E-commerce?

Search engines are built to retrieve indexed web pages. AI, on the other hand, provides instant, conversational answers based on deep knowledge.

Instead of manually researching and clicking through endless pages, consumers will increasingly ask AI:

🔹 “What’s the best smart home security system?”
🔹 “What style of lights will work in this room [uploads picture]?”

If your brand isn’t surfaced in these answers, you won’t get discovered.

How to Position Your Brand for the AI-First Future

Let’s think 5-10 years ahead. If people interact with AI like a conversation, how does AI gather data?

It means shifting away from traditional SEO and towards AI-driven discoverability. Here’s what brands need to focus on:

✅ Be Recognized in Trade Publications

LLMs prioritize content from trusted sources—just like Google does. If you’re not featured in industry news, key blogs, and relevant sources, AI won’t recognize you as a major player.

👉 Action Point → Get listed in trade publications, online magazines, and reports relevant to your market. This builds credibility and ensures AI sees you as a legitimate brand.

✅ Leverage Social Signals, Reviews & Directories

AI factors in brand reputation more than backlinks. Social media, customer reviews, and real-world discussions matter.

👉 Action Point → Get on platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit, LinkedIn, and industry-specific directories. If you haven’t focused on generating user-generated content (UGC) and reviews, now is the time.

✅ Build an Affiliate & Content Network

The new web is built on partnerships, content citations, and references. Affiliate linking and guest features will become the new backlinking strategy.

👉 Action Point → Start partnering with creators and influencers who can generate real engagement and link back to your brand.

✅ Upgrade Your Product Descriptions

AI needs text and imagery to understand your product. A simple list of specs won’t cut it anymore.

👉 Action Point → Go beyond basic descriptions. Detail the use case, emotion, and story behind your product. Ensure high-quality images, enriched descriptions, and well-structured content so AI can correctly interpret and recommend your brand.

Final Action Points for E-commerce Brands

1️⃣ Invest in social credibility – Build strong reviews, discussions, and real-world validation.

2️⃣ Think beyond Google – Optimize for AI-driven search, not backlinks. Provide detailed, engaging descriptions and ensure your brand is widely visible so AI can ingest and use your data.

3️⃣ Prioritize brand recognition – AI surfaces trusted, valuable brands. The more credible and authoritative your brand is, the more likely it is to be suggested by AI.

The Future Is Here – Are You Ready?

If AI is becoming the new marketplace, brands need to rethink how they approach discovery. The shift is happening now—those who adapt will thrive, while those who rely on outdated SEO tactics risk disappearing from consumer searches entirely.

What do you think? Are you already shifting your e-commerce strategy for AI-first discovery? Let’s discuss. 🚀