Shopify AI Search Engine: Leveraging Machine Learning for Better Results

In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, just having great products is not enough – you’re going to need your customers to be able to find those products with ease.  A Shopify AI search engine is key here. 

Traditional keyword searches are often incapable of understanding the intent behind consumer searches, and this results in lost sales and disappointment for consumers.

AI-powered search for Shopify works differently – machine learning algorithms rank search results based on context, it identifies synonyms, it understands misspellings and intent, and it understands user behavior. 

What does this translate to? more relevant, faster, smarter product discovery. In today’s competitive context, using smart search for Shopify is now a necessary condition if you’re going to succeed in an ever-changing digital buying landscape – whether to increase conversions or build your store.

From Basic to Brilliant: AI Search vs. Keyword Search

Exact word matching is the essence of keywords traditionally used in search. If a customer searches for “running shoes” and it’s classified as “jogging sneakers”, your products may not show, and you’ll miss out on the sale. These basic search engines don’t know synonyms, can’t correct errors, nor truly understand what a user is searching for.

On the flip side, intelligent search AI-powered Shopify solutions truly go beyond keywords. To interpret search intent, AI examines user behavior, context, and language through machine learning product search in combination with Natural Language Processing (NLP). It provides relevant results even if the query is vague or off, creating a seamless purchasing process.

Key Features of an AI-Powered Shopify Search Engine

An AI-powered Shopify search adds intelligence and flexibility to the product discovery process in your store.  Here are four key characteristics that make it stand out:  

Typos Toleration 

Many customers have a habit of badly misspelling search queries and this is especially true on mobile devices.  An AI-powered search recognizes typos like “shurt” instead of “shirt”. It will fix the error and ensure that only relevant products continue to be shown, making sure that customers remain engaged and friction is removed.  

Synonym Recognition 

AI understands that consumers might not refer to the same thing in the exact same way.  A search for “hoodie” should show the searcher results for “sweatshirt” too.  AI has recognised this and has synonym mapping built in so that your products are always discoverable, no matter what terminology is being used.

Contextual Ranking 

AI search engines will contextualise product ranking based on real-time relevancy, based on user behaviour, popularity and even seasonality rather than use keyword indexing for static results. We also offer dynamic sorting so that your most relevant products will appear first, leading to increased conversion rates.

Learning in Real Time 

The ability of a Shopify search powered by AI to learn and improve is one of its most powerful advantages. It simultaneously enhances its results and makes smarter recommendations as it gathers more information about search terms, product engagement, and purchases. 

All of these aspects work together to improve the user experience, product discoveries and ultimately sales.

Measurable ROI: What You Gain With Smart Search

Buying a smart search Better outcomes are the goal of the Shopify solution, not technology for technology’s sake. Because AI search engines improve discoverability, user experience and conversions, they impact your store financially. 

Better Product Discoverability 

Even with ambiguous or misspelled queries, AI is able to correctly respond because it understands human intent. This means customers are able to find what they are looking for more easily and quickly. Improved product visibility results in increased engagement and more time spent exploring your store.

Reduced Bounce Rates  

When users sift through your site and find no relevant results, they leave.  An AI-powered search for Shopify ensures that search results are relevant and refined, which diminishes the frustration that creates bounce.  The chance of users remaining, exploring, and ultimately purchasing is higher.  

Increased Order Value and Conversion Rates

AI has the ability not just to locate products but can rank those products based on their ability to convert, and a customer’s trend or previous purchase.  For example, a Shopify store that incorporated AI into their search using Wizzy saw a substantial increase in average order value and an 18% rise in conversions.  To summarize, smarter shopping comes from smarter search. 

Additionally, smarter shopping helps your company grow in an identifiable way.  An AI-powered search is an income stream, not just a feature.

How Wizzy’s AI Engine Enhances Shopify Stores

Wizzy’s AI-based search engine aims to turn simple Shopify searches into intelligent conversion-oriented experiences.  Wizzy, which is built using the latest in machine learning and natural language processing, understands not only what users are typing but what they are trying to say.  In a way that traditional search engines simply can not do, it connects the lines between user intent and product discovery.  

Shopify Integrations Done Right  

Wizzy allows all Shopify stores the ability to plug and play implementations, eliminating the hassles for developers.  Merchants can easily implement it in their existing set-up, without the need for modifications to their original infrastructure. From the moment the process is completed, Wizzy starts monitoring the search results, real-time, based on your users’ personal habits.

Smart Characteristics 

Smart Characteristics that Generate Results Wizzy has built-in interoperability for:  

  • Synonym Recognition: Acknowledges “pants” and “trousers” as synonymous.  
  • Typo-Mistake Tolerance: Also correct discrimination like “moblie” for the word “mobile.”  
  • Contextual ranking adjusts its ranking based on demographic information, time-of-day relevance, and trends to determine which items sell best.  
  • Wizzy also works with Shopify’s product filters, categories, and collections inter-operably to make even complex product catalogs easy to search and navigate.

Personalised Search Experience 

Wizzy offers a personalized result based on each user’s specific preferences, browsing history, and current behavior instead of a generic search.  Let’s say a repeat buyer links casual clothes, Wizzy would put that result at the top of the list during their next time.  Every single time feels personalized with this level of customization which drives conversion and creates greater customer loyalty.  

Any personalization in the e-commerce world is extremely advantageous and Wizzy enables Shopify retailers to do it easily.

Future-Proof Your Shopify Store with Smart AI Search Solutions

Switching to a Shopify AI-powered search engine is now necessary in a world where user experience is everything. Features like contextual ranking, synonym detection, typo-tolerance, and real-time learning, allow Shopify’s AI-powered search to ensure consumers find what they’re looking for quickly.

Smart search is revolutionizing both sides of the shopping and growth experience by decreasing bounce rates, increasing conversions, and personalizing every touchpoint for consumers.

The transition is made easy with platforms like Wizzy, which proactively improves discoverability, identifies consumer intent and drives measurable growth through user engagement. 

If you’re ready to convert one-time visitors into loyal consumers, it’s time to let machine learning and an intelligent search engine do the heavy lifting. Search should work just as hard as you do for your store.

Wizzy in a Nutshell

Let us show you how Wizzy can work on your shopping site!

Speak with a search expert so we can learn about your unique goals.