Assistant led buying is here (and evolving fast!)
AI is squeezing the gap between research and buying. People sent by assistants arrive with a shortlist and a next step - so they convert better. Treat this as both a channel and a product problem: get your data, your proof, and your experience “assistant‑ready”.
Strategy in one line: make it easy for assistants to trust you, cite you, and complete the purchase - while you keep the brand and judgement.
What’s changing (and what to do about it)
- Streamlined journeys
“Buy for me” and price alerts reduce screens and forms. Reduce choice overload on key pages, surface a recommended option, and keep the full details available - just don’t bury the next step.
- Decision signals, not slogans
Assistants and shoppers scan for facts they can act on: side‑by‑side comparisons, honest pros/cons, recent reviews, specs, price, and availability. Put these signals above the fold. Keep deeper content for SEO and education, but make decisions easy on the first screen.
- Freshness matters
Assistants favour pages that look current and complete. Add “Updated[Month Year]”, show live stock, and make prices unmissable. Refresh priority pages on a regular cadence so you’re picked up quickly.
- Your feed is your storefront
Assistants “see” your range through structured data. Keep titles, attributes, images, reviews, and stock clean and consistent across your site and feeds. Treat the product feed like a core asset, not an afterthought.
- Proof beats pitch
Third‑party reviews and demos carry more weight than claims. Keep reviews recent and specific, surface pros/cons, and showcase real‑use evidence from forums and videos.
- Put must‑have info on the page
Put must‑have info (titles, prices, stock, reviews) straight in the page, not hidden behind heavy scripts. If bots can’t see it fast, they can’t use it.
- Link with intent
Connect closely related products, comparisons, and FAQs to map your range clearly and avoid near‑duplicates that dilute authority.
- Accessibility as default
Many people browse with sound off. Use captions, transcripts, alt text, and clean layouts to lift reach and conversion on decision pages.
Our take
We’re moving from “find and filter” to “ask and act”. AI handles speed and structure; your team protects tone, judgement, and brand. Winners will be easy for assistants to trust - and unmistakably themselves when they meet ready‑to‑buy customers.
Question
If an assistant put your product in front of someone today, would your data, your proof, and your story feel ready - before they even reached the specs?
