How AI-Based Search Engines Are Revolutionizing the Ecommerce Experience

It is no secret that the recent integration of AI in online retail has transformed the industry. Among its numerous applications, AI-based search engines have emerged as the most noticeable one. By helping customers find what they are looking for more efficiently, AI-powered searches have significantly impacted sales, bringing ease and efficiency to the e-commerce experience and thus revolutionizing it.

What are AI-based search engines?

Search engines powered by AI are designed to make the process of finding products easier and more efficient by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. These search engines utilize machine learning algorithms, natural language processing (NLP), and advanced filtering tools. Due to this, AI-based search engines can cater to complex queries and present more accurate and relevant results. While there are different types, AI-powered search engines generally go beyond keywords matching to provide a more personalized search experience.

What makes them so different?

Traditional search, which primarily relies on indexing and keyword-based algorithms, has been the industry standard for several years. However, its inability to keep up with the evolution of customer needs and expectations has made its limitations apparent. While it forms the foundation of information retrieval, its processing of search queries can often overlook intricacies and the gap between language and thought.

This is where AI-based search presents itself as a revolutionary alternative. Unlike keyword-based search, it uses NLP, machine learning and semantic understanding to decipher the context and underlying intent of the search query. It goes beyond relying on only words and phrases, and considers the actual meaning behind the input. This enables it to provide more relevant, accurate and personalized results. AI-powered search further differentiates itself through its ability to deal with more complex queries and continually improve itself from past interactions.

Types of AI based Search Engines

Advanced text search:

With the integration of AI, text queries can be processed at a superior level. Natural Language Processing (NLP) enables ecommerce platforms to process semantic searches. By comprehending the intent, context, and sentiments behind queries, NLP can accurately interpret the nuances, resulting in more precise and contextually relevant search results.

Visual search:

As its name suggests, this AI-based search operates on visual cues. Utilizing advanced image recognition technology enables customers to search using images, often inspired by what they encounter in real life or on social media. Once inspired, they can upload a snapshot to the search engine. The AI algorithms then analyze the uploaded image, detect items within it, match them to the catalogue, and present relevant results. You can the magic in action for yourself with the ViSenze Visual Search, which has proven to be 9x faster than text search!

Multi-search:

A solution exclusive to ViSenze, Multi-Search is an innovative and one-of-a-kind AI-based search seamlessly integrates visual search with text search, harnessing the benefits of both. With an objective to provide an intuitive search process to customers, it transcends the limitations of relying solely on one method and instead combines both text and image queries. Multi-Search comprises three key components, namely product data optimization, keyword search, and image search. Due to its advanced comprehension of queries, it provides faster and more relevant search results than ever before.

How AI-powered search is transforming the ecommerce experience

A significant technological development in the way we search will inevitably change the way we experience online shopping. Here are some ways in which it has revolutionized the ecommerce landscape:

Improved product discovery: AI-based search engines significantly enhance product discovery by accurately and quickly matching search queries with its corresponding products. This enables shoppers to easily find what they are looking for. In the vast catalogues of ecommerce websites, navigating through numerous options and pages, and figuring out the right keywords to run can be a hassle for shoppers. However, a highly accurate search engine streamlines the process by instantly presenting the right product to the customer, eliminating the need to rely on trial and error with various terms to locate desired items.

Better shopping experience: The benefits and unique features of AI-powered search facilitate a seamless and satisfying shopping experience for customers. A significant way it does so is through improving the websites’ user interface. Set up as an easy-to-use and intuitive platform feature with seamless autocomplete, navigation and filtering options, these save time and effort for customers. The fast and responsive interface ensures quick search results, resulting in the improvement of the overall shopping experience.

Higher conversions: Better product discovery, i.e., shoppers being led to their desired items more efficiently, and enhanced shopping experience will naturally lead to more sales. When customers are able to find the products they wish for easily, the path from inspiration to purchase becomes quicker and, thus, more certain. Ecommerce websites that have utilized our AI-powered search have seen 6x higher conversion rates and 29x ROI!

Enhanced search accuracy: AI-powered search engines have the ability to decipher user intent correctly. This enables shoppers to find their desired product even if they are unable to properly articulate or type their wants in words. By being able to process subtle nuances, the search engine better understands the customer intent to deliver more accurate and relevant search results.

What the future holds?

The revolutionary impact of AI-powered search engines on the way we experience ecommerce is undeniable. To remain competitive and deliver the best possible shopping journey for their customers, online retailers must embrace the AI revolution in search.

Shifting from simply being additional features to becoming essential components of every ecommerce platform, these search engines will ensure the delivery of accurate search results, delighting customers and boosting sales in a digital-first marketplace.

Try ViSenze’s AI-based search engines, Visual Search and Multi-Search, to transform your shopping experience today!