Perplexity Shopping Tests Ecommerce SMBs

Search and chat provider Perplexity AI has introduced an innovative shopping assistant that has the potential to transform ecommerce marketing, advertising, and search engine optimization.

Perplexity’s “Buy with Pro” feature streamlines the online shopping experience by combining product research with one-click checkout and free shipping, providing American consumers with a seamless shopping journey without leaving the platform.

This feature includes “Snap to Shop,” a visual shopping tool reminiscent of Google Lens, allowing Pro subscribers to snap a picture of a product for Perplexity to source.

Perplexity’s AI personalizes recommendations and guides shoppers to discover specific products tailored to their preferences.

According to the company, “When you ask Perplexity a shopping question, you’ll receive precise, unbiased answers along with visually presented product cards showcasing the most relevant items. These recommendations are customized by our AI to enhance your shopping experience.”

Merchant Program

Perplexity’s shopping assistant is integrated with Shopify, granting access to up-to-date product information from Shopify-powered businesses globally that cater to U.S. consumers.

Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have both invested in Perplexity.

Furthermore, Perplexity has extended invitations to “large” retailers to join its merchant program. Selected partners will benefit from increased visibility in product recommendations and access to a dedicated dashboard within the platform. The application process is simple and free, requiring only basic contact information and the retailer’s URL.

While Perplexity’s shopping assistant enhances the online shopping experience for consumers, it may pose challenges for existing ecommerce businesses as AI-driven tools become more prevalent.

Seven key concerns that small-to-midsize ecommerce businesses should consider in light of tools like Perplexity’s shopping assistant becoming widespread:

Seller Concerns

Customer relationships: Direct engagement with consumers may be limited, making it challenging to build and maintain brand loyalty.

Product visibility: Large retailers with robust data integrations may receive preferential treatment, potentially overshadowing smaller ecommerce businesses.

Price pressure: AI assistants may prioritize pricing, placing pressure on SMBs to compete solely on cost.

Dependency: Online sellers could become reliant on AI platforms for sales, posing risks if platform policies or algorithms change.

Promotion: Marketing efforts may need to adapt to multiple AI platforms, complicating customer reach and advertising strategies.

Fluctuating demand: AI recommendations may lead to unpredictable demand spikes, impacting inventory management for online stores.

Technical barriers: Small businesses may face challenges in optimizing data and integrating with AI shopping assistants.

Opportunities

If Perplexity’s shopping assistant trend continues, it could offer opportunities similar to established marketplaces like Amazon:

Product visibility: Integration with Shopify could level the playing field for small and mid-sized stores to compete with larger retailers.

No fees: Perplexity’s free platform for sellers may improve profit margins compared to other fee-based marketplaces.

Next Steps

AI shopping assistants present both challenges and opportunities for sellers. To get involved:

• Apply for Perplexity’s merchant program and explore similar providers.
• Optimize product data to stand out and ensure accuracy.
• Utilize existing marketplaces and product feeds to reach AI platforms.
• Stay informed on AI shopping trends and news.

FAQs

1. How does Perplexity’s shopping assistant enhance the online shopping experience?

Perplexity’s shopping assistant combines product research, one-click checkout, and free shipping to streamline the purchasing process for consumers.

2. What advantages does Perplexity’s integration with Shopify offer to online retailers?

Integration with Shopify provides access to a wide range of product information from Shopify-powered businesses globally, giving retailers increased visibility.

3. How can small and mid-sized ecommerce businesses compete with larger retailers using Perplexity?

Perplexity’s platform levels the playing field by offering improved product visibility without additional costs for sellers.

4. What risks do sellers face with the rise of AI shopping assistants?

Sellers may encounter challenges related to customer engagement, pricing pressure, and dependency on AI platforms for sales.

5. How can sellers adapt to the changing landscape of ecommerce with AI assistants?

Sellers can stay proactive by applying to merchant programs, optimizing product data, and staying informed about AI shopping trends.