How Perplexity Shopping Is Changing the Way We Shop Online

The way people shop online is changing fast. Thanks to rapid advances in artificial intelligence, search has become more intuitive, more conversational, and more helpful than ever before. Shoppers no longer want pages of generic results. They want clear, intelligent answers that understand what they mean, not just what they type.

Enter Perplexity Shopping. This new AI-powered shopping feature from Perplexity AI is reimagining how product discovery works. By combining natural language processing with real‑time product data, it delivers smart, relevant recommended product recommendations in response to complex, human questions.

For ecommerce brands, this is more than a new search engine. It’s a glimpse into the future of online shopping. Understanding how AI is reshaping ecommerce, and how tools like Perplexity Shopping fit in, is key to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

What is Perplexity Shopping?

Perplexity Shopping is an AI-powered product search experience created by Perplexity AI, the company known for its conversational answer engine. Originally built to deliver fast and trustworthy responses to complex questions, Perplexity has now expanded into ecommerce with a fresh approach to product discovery.

Rather than relying on keyword matching, Perplexity Shopping understands the context behind a shopper’s question. It delivers curated product recommendations complete with source links, images, and detailed descriptions. This helps consumers research their options, compare features, and find exactly what they need, without scrolling through endless ads or generic listings.

Compared to platforms like Google Shopping or Amazon, Perplexity Shopping prioritizes relevance over promotion. While other platforms often lead with paid placements or SEO-driven results, Perplexity focuses on surfacing high-quality information based on what the shopper is really asking.

By combining AI-powered search with ecommerce insights, Perplexity Shopping offers a smarter way to explore product cards and a new opportunity for brands and retailers to be discovered through authentic, information-first experiences.

How Perplexity Shopping works

Perplexity Shopping uses generative AI to deliver personalized product recommendations based on natural language queries. When a shopper asks a question such as “What are the best wireless headphones for travel?” Perplexity does more than display product listings. It analyzes the intent behind the query, searches across structured product data, and returns a curated set of results with clear context.

At the core of this experience is high-quality product details and data. Perplexity partners with platforms including Shopify, Amazon, and third-party providers to access live product feeds. These feeds include information such as pricing, specifications, availability, customer reviews, and seller ratings. The AI uses this data to evaluate and summarize options in a way that feels conversational and tailored to the shopper’s intent.

Unlike other AI shopping tools that rely on basic chatbots or limited product catalogs, Perplexity Shopping blends the depth of a search engine with the intelligence of an assistant. It avoids pushing sponsored content and instead focuses on transparency by citing sources and explaining each recommendation.

For ecommerce brands, this introduces a new kind of discovery engine. Relevance and product accuracy matter more than paid placements, creating new opportunities for brands to connect with informed, intent-driven shoppers.

Benefits and challenges of AI-powered shopping

AI-powered shopping is changing how consumers discover products and how brands compete for visibility. While the benefits are clear, the shift also comes with new complexities for ecommerce businesses to navigate.

Benefits.

AI is redefining what online shopping can be. With tools like Perplexity Shopping, the experience becomes faster, more relevant, and more trustworthy.

• Smarter product discovery: Shoppers are no longer limited to exact‑match keywords. AI understands natural language and intent, helping people discover products they may not have found through traditional search. It also helps streamline the path from search to checkout.

• Personalized recommendations: Instead of one-size-fits-all results, AI tools surface options based on the specifics of a shopper’s query. That means better matches and more confidence in each decision.

• Stronger consumer trust: By citing sources and summarizing credible information, AI shopping engines build trust. Shoppers know where the data comes from and why a product is being recommended.

This new search experience creates a win-win, helping shoppers make informed decisions and giving brands a fresh, more authentic path to visibility.

Challenges. 

While AI opens up new possibilities for ecommerce, it also introduces important challenges that brands need to navigate.

• Data accuracy is critical: AI shopping tools rely on structured product data to generate recommendations. Incomplete or outdated information can lead to missed opportunities and poor shopper experiences.

• Bias in algorithms: AI systems learn from existing data, which can unintentionally reinforce bias. This may lead to certain brands or product types being overrepresented while others are overlooked.

• Rising competition for attention: As AI search becomes more mainstream, brands must compete based on relevance and data quality, not just marketing budgets or ad spend.

• Limited control over visibility: Unlike traditional marketplaces where sellers can pay for placement, AI-powered platforms prioritize answers over ads. That means brands must earn their spot through trustworthy content and optimized product feeds.

To stay visible in this new landscape, ecommerce businesses need to invest in accurate, high-quality data and remain agile as AI search technologies evolve.

Implications for merchants and ecommerce brands

AI-driven search is not just changing how consumers shop, it’s redefining how brands get discovered. With tools like Perplexity Shopping, merchants can no longer rely solely on paid ads or SEO tactics to reach their audience. Instead, product visibility depends on data quality, relevance, and the ability to meet shoppers’ intent with accurate, trusted information.

For ecommerce brands, this shift brings both opportunity and responsibility. Participating in the Perplexity Merchant Program gives retailers direct access to AI-powered shopping visibility. Understanding how to align with AI-powered platforms will be key to staying competitive in the next era of digital commerce.

Optimizing product data for AI.

To succeed on AI-powered platforms like Perplexity Shopping, ecommerce brands need to treat product data as a strategic asset. Clean, structured, and accurate product information is the foundation of visibility in AI-driven search.

Here’s how to make your product data work harder:

• Use structured data formats: AI tools rely on standardized formats such as product feeds and schema markup to understand product attributes. Include details like price, availability, specifications, and customer reviews in every listing.

• Keep information up to date: Outdated pricing or inventory data can lead to mismatched results and a poor shopper experience. Sync data in real time wherever possible.

• Write clear, concise descriptions: Natural language product descriptions help AI understand your offerings in context. Avoid jargon and focus on clarity.

• Tag products accurately: Use relevant categories, tags, and attributes to improve discoverability across AI shopping engines and marketplaces.

• Maintain consistency across channels: Make sure your product information is aligned across your website, marketplaces, and feeds to build trust and avoid confusion.

Strong product data does more than power search. It builds credibility, improves discoverability, and prepares your brand for success across emerging AI commerce experiences.

Leveraging SEO for conversational search.

As AI transforms how people search, traditional SEO strategies need to evolve. Shoppers are asking full questions, not just typing keywords, and AI engines like Perplexity are responding with direct, contextual answers. To stay visible, ecommerce brands must optimize for how people naturally speak and search.

Here’s how to adapt your SEO for AI-driven, conversational search:

Target long-tail, question-based queries: Think like your customer. What would they ask when looking for your product? Use those phrases in your product descriptions, FAQs, and content.

• Structure content clearly: Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to help AI systems quickly understand and summarize your content.

• Focus on relevance and clarity: Write for humans first. Clear, useful content is more likely to be cited by AI engines and featured in results.

• Highlight trustworthy information: Include data points like ratings, certifications, and product comparisons. AI tools value factual, well-supported content.

• Keep schema markup up to date: Structured data helps AI interpret your site content and display it accurately in responses.

By blending traditional SEO with conversational thinking, ecommerce brands can position themselves to appear in AI-powered search results, and reach customers with the right message at the right moment.

Exploring partnerships with AI-driven channels.

AI-powered shopping platforms are creating new ways for consumers to discover products, and forward-thinking brands are finding ways to get involved early. Tools like Perplexity Shopping, and broader initiatives like the Perplexity Pro subscription, are more than just another tech trend. They represent a shift in how people shop, and that opens the door to new types of partnerships.

Here’s how ecommerce brands can start exploring these emerging opportunities:

• Stay informed on platform integrations: Follow how platforms such as Perplexity, ChatGPT, and others are expanding into shopping. Many are actively building relationships with data providers, ecommerce platforms, and technology partners.

• Use product feed management tools: Work with trusted providers or ecommerce platforms that connect with AI search engines. These tools can help keep your products included and accurately represented.

• Join early access programs: AI platforms often roll out new features in beta. Getting involved early gives your brand a head start and insight into how the platform operates.

• Connect with AI-native companies: Reach out to companies at the forefront of AI commerce. Sharing your product catalog or content can help shape how your brand is presented in this new landscape.

• Take advantage of platform flexibility: Platforms like BigCommerce offer the agility to adapt quickly to new channels and integrations. That gives brands a competitive edge as AI shopping evolves.

By partnering with AI-driven channels early, brands can increase their visibility, strengthen their digital presence, and lead the way into the future of ecommerce.

How BigCommerce and Feedonomics supports merchants in the AI era

As AI transforms ecommerce search and discovery, merchants need flexible tools and reliable data infrastructure to keep up. BigCommerce and Feedonomics work together to help brands deliver clean, consistent product data across every channel, including emerging AI-powered platforms.

Flexible infrastructure for an AI-first future.

As AI reshapes how consumers discover products, ecommerce brands need more than short-term marketing tactics. They need a flexible, scalable foundation that supports innovation and long-term growth. BigCommerce delivers exactly that.

BigCommerce gives businesses the freedom to integrate with emerging platforms like Perplexity Shopping, adapt to evolving technologies, and customize their tech stack without the constraints of monolithic systems. Whether you’re building composable storefronts, syncing product data across multiple destinations, or experimenting with new AI-powered channels, BigCommerce empowers you to move fast without sacrificing control.

Through robust APIs, partner integrations, and flexible infrastructure, BigCommerce supports seamless connections to major marketplaces and feed destinations like Google, Meta, and Amazon, and is well positioned to support the next wave of AI shopping engines. Combined with Feedonomics’ centralized product feed management, this ecosystem enables merchants to maintain consistency, improve discoverability, and stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven commerce landscape.

Adaptability is no longer optional. With BigCommerce, brands can future-proof their operations and confidently navigate the next era of digital commerce.

Powering smarter discovery with better product data.

To thrive in AI-powered shopping environments, ecommerce brands need to treat product feeds and structured data as critical assets. These elements form the foundation of how AI engines like Perplexity Shopping interpret, recommend, and display products to shoppers.

Feedonomics plays a key role in helping merchants optimize and distribute their product data across multiple channels. By centralizing feed management, Feedonomics ensures that product attributes such as pricing, inventory, descriptions, and images remain consistent, accurate, and up to date wherever your brand appears.

Structured data is equally important. Schema markup on product pages helps AI platforms understand what your content means rather than just what it says. This improves visibility in conversational search results and increases the likelihood of being featured in AI-generated recommendations.

With BigCommerce and Feedonomics, merchants have the tools and support to deliver high-quality product data across both current commerce platforms and emerging AI-driven shopping experiences.

The final word

AI is no longer on the horizon. It is here, and it is reshaping ecommerce from the ground up. Perplexity Shopping represents a new kind of discovery experience that prioritizes relevance, transparency, and shopper intent over traditional ranking models.

For ecommerce brands, this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity. Success in the AI era will depend on how well you manage your product data, how quickly you adapt to emerging channels, and how flexible your infrastructure is.

With BigCommerce and Feedonomics, businesses have the tools to stay ahead. From extensible architecture to centralized feed management, brands are equipped to reach customers across today's platforms and tomorrow's innovations.

FAQs about Perplexity Shopping

Can merchants list their products directly on Perplexity Shopping?

As of now, Perplexity Shopping does not offer a direct listing feature for merchants. Instead, it aggregates product data from multiple sources, including online marketplaces, ecommerce platforms, and product feeds provided by partners. 

To improve visibility on Perplexity Shopping, merchants should focus on maintaining accurate, structured product data and working with platforms like BigCommerce and Feedonomics, which help ensure product information is discoverable and optimized for AI-powered search engines.

How is Perplexity different from Google Shopping or Amazon?

Perplexity Shopping is designed to deliver answers, not just listings. While Google Shopping and Amazon focus heavily on product catalogs and sponsored placements, Perplexity uses conversational AI to understand the context of a shopper’s query and recommend products based on relevance and trusted sources. It aims to reduce noise, avoid ad bias, and provide clear explanations for each recommendation. This creates a more personalized, transparent experience where the shopper’s intent, not paid promotion, drives results.

Can consumers trust product recommendations from Perplexity Shopping?

Yes, Perplexity Shopping is designed with transparency at its core. Unlike traditional search engines that prioritize sponsored listings, Perplexity cites its sources and explains why each product is being recommended. It pulls from structured product data, reviews, and credible websites to provide informed, objective answers. While no AI tool is perfect, the platform’s commitment to clarity and citation helps build trust with consumers who want reliable guidance in their purchase decisions.

Will AI shopping tools like Perplexity replace comparison shopping engines?

AI shopping tools like Perplexity are not replacing comparison shopping engines, they are redefining them. Instead of presenting a grid of products filtered by price or brand, Perplexity uses natural language understanding to answer specific shopper questions with curated, context-rich recommendations. It offers a more personalized, efficient alternative to traditional comparison tools, but both can coexist. As AI continues to evolve, we are likely to see comparison shopping become more conversational, more intelligent, and more integrated with tools like Perplexity.

How fast is Perplexity Shopping adoption expected to grow?

Perplexity Shopping is still in its early stages, but interest in AI-powered search is accelerating quickly. As consumers grow more comfortable with conversational interfaces and demand faster, more intelligent shopping experiences, adoption is expected to increase. Perplexity AI’s broader platform has already seen rapid user growth, and its expansion into ecommerce taps into a major trend. While exact adoption rates are still unfolding, the rise of tools like Perplexity signals a clear shift in how people want to search, shop, and discover products online.

How does Perplexity Shopping compare to other AI shopping assistants?

Perplexity Shopping stands out from traditional tools by combining the intelligence of AI agents with the flexibility of a modern shopping assistant. While many ecommerce platforms rely on basic filters or keyword matching, Perplexity uses natural language understanding to interpret real user queries and deliver tailored results.

Unlike basic bots, Perplexity is built on advanced models including Gemini and integrates features inspired by tools like Google Lens for visual search. This allows it to process both written and image-based searches, a major advancement in AI-powered discovery.

Some of its key features include structured product reviews, real-time pricing and availability, and clear specs on each listing. These details are often pulled directly from the merchant’s website, making results both relevant and trustworthy.

For pro users, Perplexity offers faster response times and richer results. From comparison research to product matching, Perplexity supports a wide range of use cases, all while maintaining a clean, intuitive interface.

Who is behind Perplexity Shopping, and why does it matter?

Perplexity Shopping is developed by Perplexity AI, a fast-growing startup focused on building conversational search tools powered by artificial intelligence. The company’s roots trace back to cutting-edge language models inspired by OpenAI, and its approach reflects a broader shift toward AI-native product discovery.

What sets Perplexity apart is not just its technology, but the support behind it. The company has attracted investment from high-profile backers, including Jeff Bezos, underscoring the growing confidence in AI's role in the future of ecommerce. This level of support signals that Perplexity Shopping is not just an experimental tool, it is a serious contender in the next generation of digital commerce platforms.