March 2026 Ecommerce AI Pulse Survey (15 Leaders Weigh In)

Synthetic intelligence has shortly gone from area of interest research to notorious homework assistant to part of every day life for many individuals. It was solely a matter of time till AI turned a main focus for ecommerce. For good motive, too.

It’s predicted U.S. customers will make $20 billion in ecommerce gross sales by means of AI platforms in 2026, reaching $144 billion by 2029. For ecommerce companies, that’s some huge cash to depart on the desk.

To get a greater take a look at how companies are getting ready for this shift, we commissioned a pulse survey to seek out out.

Survey methodology

We surveyed a complete of 15 enterprise leaders within the ecommerce house, receiving each quantitative and qualitative responses.

Firm dimension breakdown:

• 40% Small companies (10–49 workers)

• 40% Medium companies (50–199 workers)

• 20% Mid-market firms (200–999 workers)

Quite a few industries had been represented in our survey dimension, together with ecommerce retail, attire  vogue, meals & beverage, manufacturing, printing, non-profits, and training administration.

The group displays primarily SMB and decrease mid-market ecommerce operators.

Key insights from 15 ecommerce leaders

Every of the leaders we spoke to performs a major function in shaping the general ecommerce sector. And, whereas some responses had been anticipated, a lot of stunning insights jumped out.

1. AI use in ecommerce is a blended bag.

Before everything, it was necessary we realized how ecommerce companies are utilizing this know-how at present. 

When requested, “How is your small business presently utilizing AI at present?” responses pointed at a blended use of the know-how.

As a result of most ecommerce companies are utilizing AI to a point, think about using it for fundamental productiveness automation at least. In any other case, you threat now not staying aggressive. 

2. Curiosity in AI is excessive throughout the board.

Subsequent, we requested, “Which areas of AI are you most keen on exploring additional? (Test all that apply)” and found there’s a common curiosity in most ecommerce performance.

The varied curiosity in AI-powered options throughout the board, together with an increase in adoption charges, exhibits AI in ecommerce is simply getting began. In case you aren’t exploring it already, that is your signal.

3. Normal-purpose GenAI instruments are the favored alternative in ecommerce.

Ecommerce companies are pursuing AI. However, are they utilizing ecommerce-specific instruments? 

To search out out, we requested, “Which AI instruments does your small business use most continuously? (Test all that apply)” and located that general-purpose GenAI remains to be primary, however ecommerce AI instruments are already nearing 50%.

Normal-purpose and ecommerce AI are the highest two use instances, displaying a transparent demand for personalization, broad AI assist, and analytics. As an alternative of in search of this performance throughout a lot of instruments, simplify your stack and discover an ecommerce platform with AI assist that checks all these containers.

4. The vast majority of ecommerce companies aren’t AI consultants — but.

A majority of ecommerce companies are utilizing AI, with curiosity in additional exploration. But, when requested, “How would you fee your group’s talent degree with AI instruments?” it turned clear many don’t take into account themselves consultants.

No person in ecommerce is claiming to be an AI knowledgeable, so don’t stress should you don’t really feel like one both. Concentrate on exploration and training, prioritizing accountable use of AI at each step.

5. 93% of ecommerce companies agree: AI is necessary.

When requested, “How necessary is AI to the long run success of your ecommerce enterprise?” solely 7% of respondents mentioned AI wasn’t necessary presently. To the remaining, AI can’t be ignored, particularly if you wish to keep aggressive.

The vast majority of ecommerce companies see AI as a should with a view to keep aggressive. As increasingly companies have interaction with AI, and AI grows in accessibility, AI will likely be much less of a distinct segment add-on and desk stakes for these eager to compete of their market

6. Buyer belief and model fame are high considerations for AI customers.

Nothing is with out threat, and that features the usage of AI in ecommerce. 

We requested, “What considerations does your group have about scaling AI in ecommerce? (Test all that apply).” 

Whereas a number of had been shut within the variety of votes, it’s clear ecommerce companies are most involved about damaging their model by the use of AI use.

With 50% of adults within the U.S. “extra involved than excited” concerning the elevated use of AI, manufacturers worrying about buyer belief and reputational injury are justified. Whereas the usage of AI will possible enhance in ecommerce, don’t rush in and not using a plan. Broaden your AI use instances slowly, and all the time follow transparency, letting your clients understand how their information is used

7. Each enterprise is retaining a human within the loop.

Streamlining productiveness and saving time are two of the advantages usually touted by AI, and a key motive many ecommerce companies embrace the know-how. However, none of our survey respondents are letting it drive the automotive by itself. 

This level was made clear when requested, “How necessary is human oversight in AI-driven commerce selections at present?”

Between public considerations round AI and enterprise worries of brand name and belief, hesitancy round AI is comprehensible. Secure use of AI is feasible, however solely whenever you’re guaranteeing a human is all the time concerned within the course of, as made clear by the 15 ecommerce leaders surveyed..

8. Not a single model reported absolutely AEO-optimized product pages.

Reply engine optimization (AEO) is more and more necessary, because it will increase the possibilities your pages are surfaced by any variety of AI reply engines, together with AI-powered brokers, or agentic AI. Whereas agentic AI will help your ecommerce enterprise be extra environment friendly, it might solely achieve this in case your product pages are prepared for them.

We requested, “As AI brokers more and more act on behalf of consumers, how are you getting ready your product information for machine-readable discovery (AEO)?” and shortly realized that no one feels their complete product catalog is 100% AI-ready.

Not considered one of our respondents mentioned their complete product catalog is optimized for agentic AI or reply engines. With AI use in ecommerce more and more widespread, prioritizing AEO on your product pages earlier than your rivals achieve this can provide you a bonus.

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9.  Enterprise leaders don’t anticipate AI brokers to grow to be a main gross sales channel.

Not one of the respondents felt their product pages had been prepared for AI primetime. Equally, when requested, “How do you anticipate clients to undertake AI brokers that store or make buying selections on their behalf?” respondents firmly agreed that AI brokers wouldn’t grow to be the first approach clients store.

This could possibly be the case. However, is that this additionally influenced by an absence of AI readiness throughout product pages?

This clearly reinforces that you just shouldn’t anticipate AI brokers to behave as a main gross sales channel. As an alternative, incorporate them into your current gross sales funnel, permitting them to assist with much less complicated gross sales and challenges, whereas not counting on them too closely.

10. Agent-to-agent commerce is not occurring anytime quickly.

The idea of agent-to-agent commerce is extremely new, and imagines a world the place a buyer can request a service or product from one agent, which then completes their order with one other from one other model.

Unsurprisingly, when requested, “How ready is your ecommerce group for agentic commerce workflows (agent-to-agent transactions)?” not one of the respondents claimed to be absolutely ready.

Agent-to-agent transactions are possible a great distance off. As an alternative, focus sources on guaranteeing your product pages are prepared on your model’s agentic AI, streamlining inside workflows the place you’ll be able to.

11. Greater than half of ecommerce leaders report a success to search engine marketing site visitors.

With the rise of AI-powered search, SEO (search engine marketing) efforts haven’t yielded the identical fruit as earlier than. For a lot of web sites, this has led to a noticeable dip in site visitors. However, has it impacted ecommerce companies in an analogous method?

We requested, “Have you ever seen modifications in natural search site visitors, and the way are you adapting to AEO/GEO methods?” to seek out out, and found most companies have observed an affect and are taking some effort to course right.

Most companies have felt the search engine marketing shift and are exploring or actively participating in AEO and generative engine optimization (GEO) efforts. Even when your small business hasn’t taken an search engine marketing hit, your rivals are possible training AEO/GEO and it’s best to too.

12. Personalization is paramount in 2026.

The follow of personalization has been a spotlight of ecommerce for years now, and it’s solely gaining steam: 73% of consumers anticipate extra personalization at present.

That is an space the place AI could make a distinction, permitting sooner and extra correct personalization throughout advertising, gross sales, and product suggestions. 

The ecommerce leaders we surveyed agreed, when requested, “Which shopper-facing AI use instances matter most to your small business? (Test all that apply)”

A extra customized buying expertise is a should. However, don’t ignore different aggressive makes use of of shopper-facing AI, like delivering a conversational buying expertise, working to get merchandise surfaced in reply engines, and enabling AI-powered product searches.

13. ChatGPT wins the recognition contest.

The variety of reply engines obtainable continues to develop, with names like Claude and Gemini and CoPilot becoming a member of ChatGPT. 

Regardless of this, after asking, “Which Reply Engines are most necessary to your small business at present?” it was clear: ChatGPT remains to be the primary focus, with probably the most replies at “Very Vital.”

It’s price noting that within the “Vital” class, Google AI Mode and Gemini had been the best choice, sitting at 40%. With Gemini obtainable by default on many Android telephones, it’s an extremely accessible reply engine for a lot of.

ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and Gemini, and Claude are a very powerful reply engines for ecommerce companies. In case you’re going to concentrate on any, spend your sources correctly and prioritize these three.

14. Blogs and phrase of mouth are high methods to find out about AI.

Because it exists at present, AI hasn’t been round for greater than a handful of years. (Bear in mind: Not one of the ecommerce manufacturers surveyed consider themselves as full consultants.)

This made us curious: “How do you presently develop your data of AI in ecommerce and its sensible functions?”

We requested for qualitative somewhat than quantitative solutions, receiving detailed replies. Whereas some talked about vendor audits or in-person occasions, a number of sources cropped up throughout the board:

• Blogs and newsletters had been the commonest replies, whether or not respondents talked about looking for them out deliberately or coming throughout them organically on LinkedIn.

• Phrase of mouth was additionally a high supply, with practically each respondent mentioning they usually study of recent AI methods or developments from different folks of their circle or business.

• Webinars had been additionally continuously talked about, particularly when supplied by AI distributors or consultants within the house.

Everybody nonetheless has quite a bit to study and many individuals are excited to share, whether or not on LinkedIn or by way of weblog or e-newsletter. Regardless of the unique supply of the knowledge, phrase of mouth was a typical thread. Hearken to your friends, see what your rivals are doing, and take note everybody remains to be figuring it out.

The ultimate phrase

The subsequent few years are positive to see AI rising and shifting in its capabilities and makes use of, particularly within the ecommerce sphere. Whether or not agent-to-agent commerce takes off or search engine marketing finds its place once more, it’s troublesome to say.

Regardless, one factor is obvious: AI is shortly changing into desk stakes, and being aggressive means with the ability to adapt.

With the BigCommerce platform, you’ll be able to construct your small business with an agile, customizable basis that’s outfitted to deal with AI at each step, by way of BigAI. With integrations that may show you how to:

• Create AI-ready product descriptions.

• Advocate merchandise to clients primarily based on buying habits.

• Predict the long run lifetime worth of shoppers.

• Drive correct product categorization by means of Feedonomics.

See for your self how BigCommerce will help you streamline the more and more omnichannel world of ecommerce, whereas enabling you to dream huge and obtain even larger.

Join a demo at present.