You use search engines like Google to dig through a nearly infinite amount of websites, pages, social media accounts, videos, images, libraries, collections, and files on the internet. If you’re running an online company or ecommerce store, you know that appearing in search engine results can be a major driver of business.
Though these tools have worked for decades, powerful technologies leveraging artificial intelligence have recently proliferated. AI-powered search engines use machine learning and natural language processing to help you find the information you’re searching for—and you can also use them on your own website or ecommerce store as a built-in search tool.
What is an AI search engine?
An AI search engine uses artificial intelligence to help users find search results. AI search tools can typically decipher more complex prompts, better understand user intent, and synthesize answers in a more accessible way. Additionally, AI searches are often not limited to text alone. They can also include voice search and visual search functions. For example, you could take a photo of a lamp you like or describe it by speaking into your phone’s microphone and let AI search find a matching lamp for sale online.
How do AI search engines work?
AI search relies on natural language processing (NLP), which helps computers better decipher human language and meaning. This means that when you use an AI search engine, instead of typing “green maxi dress shopping” and combing through the results, you can type something like “I’m looking for a long forest green maxi dress with a plunging neckline and long sleeves. The bottom should be pleated. I’m a size 6.” The AI search engine can interpret this result and provide you with answers based on context.
Traditional search engines originally used keywords to assess a result’s relevance to a given query. Now, however, a simple Google search involves a complex algorithm that assesses much more than just relevant keywords; it also looks at location, readability, website speed, backlinking, and more—including AI. Given that most of the major search engines now use AI features, the line between traditional search and AI search is blurring.
This ability to learn from a specific user’s language and response—and then deliver the information in a more conversational way—is the principal difference between traditional and AI search engines. AI can increase search relevance and make the whole search experience faster and more natural.
What is AI site search?
Site search refers to the searches that occur within the confines of your website. Similar to how a brick-and-mortar store has human salespeople who can interact with customers, ask follow-up questions, and guide them toward a purchase, AI-powered site search can help customers navigate your ecommerce site. An AI-powered site search can interpret context and meaning from the user’s typed query, and determine which results best suit them. These types of AI-powered searches typically rely on semantic search technology to understand user intent.
Best AI search engines
Consumers are using AI search engines to help them find what they’re looking for. Here are some popular options:
Perplexity
Perplexity is a comprehensive AI search engine that has a similar user interface to a chatbot like ChatGPT. Alongside a synthesized answer to your search query, Perplexity incorporates images, shopping links, articles, and links to relevant videos.
Bing Copilot
Microsoft’s search engine Bing has incorporated its AI assistant Copilot into its search function. Copilot synthesizes answers in a succinct way, providing relevant links. Bing can also generate images based on search queries.
Exa
Exa is a great AI tool for leveraging vast amounts of data and resources to conduct research and find specific web content. Exa doesn’t present answers in a conversational paragraph, instead providing a list more similar to a Google search. Though the output is similar to a traditional search engine, the method of finding those search results is different. Instead of using keywords and SEO, Exa uses large language models to give you very specific results.
You.com
You.com is an AI search engine that functions like a chatbot. Using natural language processing, You.com has its own proprietary model that helps it understand the way your users talk and provide them with relevant images and links.
The most-used search engine in the world, Google has incorporated its AI tool Gemini into its regular search as well as across its catalog of services. A Google search result now has a summary at the top of the page, with links to sources, in addition to its regular search results.
Best AI site search tools for ecommerce stores
When it comes to AI site search tools, there are several options to explore, from cutting-edge start-up companies to older web companies offering new services.
ViSenze
Using visual and semantic search, ViSenze is an AI site-search tool that can help customers find the item they’re looking for on your site. This AI-powered search can increase conversions by making your site more navigable for customers.
Pricing: Free.
Boost 3.0
Boost is an AI site search tool that integrates with your ecommerce store. Boost uses natural language processing to help understand search queries, providing personalized product recommendations, as well as options for product bundling.
Pricing: Free version for stores with up to 25 products. Plans range from $29 to $399 per month for stores with more products and specific reporting, filtering, and support needs.
Bloomreach
Bloomreach is a suite of AI tools for ecommerce that includes AI site search. Bloomreach gives users recommendations and category pages, helping them discover new products.
Pricing: Free.
AI search engine FAQ
What are the best AI search engines?
AI search engines such as Perplexity and Exa can help users find answers, using natural language processing to understand complex prompts and provide context-specific information.
Existing search engines such as Google and Bing have also incorporated AI search engine tools into their search function. Additionally, if you’re looking for an AI site search tool that’s built specifically for ecommerce and can integrate with your store, you can try ViSenze, which helps users find the right products on your site.
How is AI used in ecommerce?
AI is an exciting new field of computer science with a wide reach across several industries. You can use AI site search tools on your ecommerce site to increase the relevance of search results, making it easier for users to find the right product, page or link.
You can also use AI to help you write product descriptions, blog posts and emails, as well as to track and present your analytics data in an easy-to-understand way.
Are there AI search plug-ins for Shopify stores?
Yes. There are several tools that you can incorporate into your ecommerce store. One platform that specifically integrates with your shopify store is ViSenze, which offers site search capability with visual search, access to tags, and recommendations that will help your customers find what they need.
