Perplexity is entering the ecommerce world with a new shopping feature for its U.S. paid customers. This move challenges big tech companies like Google and Amazon in search and shopping.
The AI-powered search engine is introducing:
- Visual product cards with detailed information.
- One-click checkout.
- An innovative merchant program that could reshape online shopping experiences.
How it works:
- Product search results now include visual cards with pricing, seller info, pros and cons.
- Users can search using text or images.
- One-click checkout with stored payment and shipping details.
- Pro subscribers get free shipping.
- Offers “unbiased” recommendations without sponsored slots.
Why we care. Perplexity’s AI-powered shopping feature creates a fresh platform for reaching consumers directly within search results. As it grows, advertisers might have the chance to tap into this ecosystem, especially with integrations like Shopify already in place.
Early adopters will also have a competitive edge on an emerging platform like Perplexity. You can learn how to optimize for this system before it becomes saturated or introduces ads.
By the numbers:
- Integrates with Shopify sellers shipping in the U.S.
- No affiliate fees from purchases.
- Separate from Perplexity’s recently launched ads product.
Between the lines: Competitors like Amazon (Rufus) and Google have already begun integrating AI into shopping searches, highlighting a growing market opportunity.
What’s next: Perplexity’s merchant program could expand its search capabilities and market reach, potentially disrupting traditional e-commerce search methods.
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About the author
Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.
In 2008, Anu’s career started with
delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.
Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live and host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup.
She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
