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In the past, it was enough to type keywords like “red running shoes” into a search engine. Today, people expect technology to understand long, informal queries such as “comfortable red sneakers for running.”
Artificial intelligence has significantly changed our expectations. Search engines like Google and voice assistants automatically interpret intent and provide answers instantly. It’s no longer just about exact keywords—it’s about meaning, context, and immediate usability of information.
This new paradigm is quickly shaping expectations for search engines on e-commerce and business websites, even though most of them don’t use AI directly yet. But people aren’t willing to change their habits—they expect every digital tool to work just as naturally.
SEO becomes AEO—the answer is the goal
Google has been gradually shifting from classic lists of links to what it calls AI Overviews. Algorithms can automatically assemble answers from multiple sources, saving users time.
Traditional SEO, which focuses solely on keyword density and technical optimization, is losing relevance. Instead, Answer Engine Optimization is emerging, creating content that directly and clearly answers people’s questions.
This trend is also affecting internal search on e-commerce sites. If a customer types “gift for a friend,” they expect an immediate selection of relevant products, not an empty page with no results.
Voice search increases the pressure for clarity.
Voice assistants are bringing another revolution. Queries are longer, full of filler words, and would make no sense to older technologies.
People speak naturally:
“Hey, could you find me something like a beach throw?”
“I need a hoodie that’s good for chilly evenings.”
Google can handle this and link the customer to the right e-shop. But if you want to keep them on your site, you need to adapt to these new trends and meet them proactively.
New requirements for e-commerce search
Even though most internal search tools on e-commerce sites don’t yet use AI, they still need to respond to these new patterns of behavior.
The data speaks loud and clear:
- About 18% of e-shop visitors use search.
- These users generate over 50% of the total revenue.
- They typically already know precisely what they want, and expect the system to understand them instantly.
If your search can’t handle natural language, word variations, or typos, you’re unnecessarily losing customers who were ready to buy.
Search Ready: a search that understands human language
Our internal search engine, Search Ready, doesn’t yet leverage AI, but it is designed to meet the new standards that AI has set.
What exactly does it do?
- Natural language: Understands queries phrased in everyday speech.
- Word variability: Handles various word forms, synonyms, and slang.
- Understanding typos: Automatically suggests corrected results.
- Speed: Returns answers instantly, eliminating the need for extra clicks.
- Data analysis: Tracks user behavior and shows what people really search for.
Thanks to this, e-shops can keep up with modern expectations.
Development direction: getting closer to AI capabilities
We’re looking to the future. Our goal is to steadily bring Search Ready closer to the level that AI technologies achieve, to understand the context of queries better, and deliver results that truly match customer intent.
Every project and implementation of Search Ready is a step toward making search not just a technical tool but an active partner in the sales process.
Want a search that understands the new rules of the digital world?
Get in touch. Together, we’ll find a solution that makes it easier for your customers to buy—and brings measurable results for your business.
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