Let's Talk About Search, Baby: Understanding AI Search & Merch with Sebastian Hooker

Описание: Today’s episode of the Shopify App Show is as topical as they come.

Search has changed more in the last 12 months than in the previous 20 years combined.


Is the search bar now a chat box? Is it AI, curated, or algorithmic? Does the traditional "Results Page" even exist anymore?


The answers are changing daily. But one thing is clear: a new wave of apps is rewriting the rules of discovery.

My guest today is *Sebastian Hooker*, an ex-Google & Microsoft engineer who left the land of tech giants to build *Nimstrata*.


Nimstrata’s proposition is simple: it puts Google’s enterprise-grade search algorithms directly onto your Shopify store, powered by Google Cloud Vertex AI.


I learn something new every time I talk to Sebastian—and I’m sure you will too.


Every week, the Shopify App Show showcases the independent apps that are changing ecommerce.



Takeaways

The search landscape in e-commerce is rapidly evolving, influenced by AI and changes to user behaviour.
Nimstrata aims to democratize access to Google's search algorithms for Shopify stores rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
On-site search experience is crucial for converting visitors into customers, but not all stores need an enterprise tool to achieve this. A streamlined tech stack with essential apps can create a more powerful customer experience.
Users are increasingly using conversational queries in search, changing how merchants should optimize their content.
Data quality is foundational for effective search and merchandising in e-commerce. The future of UCP will require merchants to adapt their data structures and practices.
Merchants need to be aware of the paradox of choice when presenting products to customers.
It's essential to balance user needs with the fast-paced changes in technology.


Chapters

*00:00*From Google to Nimstrata: Meet Sebastian Hooker

*07:02*Nimstrata's Role in E-commerce Search

*12:00*Personalization in Search: Enhancing User Experience

*14:58*The Evolution of Search Queries

*19:20*Conversational Commerce: Redefining User Interaction

*22:36*The Paradox of Choice in E-commerce

*26:14*Data Quality: The Foundation of Effective Search

*27:12*The Future of Data Quality in E-commerce

*33:32*Navigating Product Roadmaps in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

*36:29*Innovations and Challenges in E-commerce Tools

*43:06*Optimizing Your E-commerce Tech Stack