The Evolution of Ecommerce Search — Arv Natarajan | Why Conversational AI Simplifies Queries, What Makes A Perfect Search Page, How Visual Search Improves Discovery, Why "Revenue Per Search" Rules, Why Search And Browse Both Matter (#365)
This interview podcast episode focuses on the evolution of eCommerce search and the impact of AI on the digital customer experience. The host, Claus Lauter, interviews Arv Natarajan, Director of Product at GroupBy, discussing limitations of early eCommerce search (simple keyword matching leading to manipulation and irrelevant results), the functionality of AI-first search platforms (understanding user intent and personalizing results at scale), and the use of data to personalize the shopping experience while addressing privacy concerns. Specific examples like the search query "date night dress" illustrate how AI improves search relevance. The discussion concludes with advice for merchants to regularly audit their search experience and consider adopting AI-powered solutions to boost revenue per search and overall sales.
