In today’s podcast episode, we discuss how our relationship with screens is changing, how the emergence of consumer-facing AI is influencing the way we spend and divide our attention, and how retailers and brands are designing experiences that people remember rather than simply photograph. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing at Atmosphere TV Lindsay Sutton, and Chancellor’s Professor Emerita of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, Gloria Mark. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.
Brands already face pressure to react quickly to shopping behaviors, platform algorithms and trends. But it stood out at ShopTalk that reflexively responding to every signal can distance consumers from a brand.
In August 2026, we analyzed 6,560 ChatGPT recommendations across 28 B2B agency and marketing technology categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.
In Q3 2026, we analyzed 14,540 ChatGPT recommendations across 20 apparel and fashion categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.
iSpot will validate outcomes, helping advertisers judge placements and bolstering Hallmark’s pricing power.
But content that explains conflicting clinical and AI guidance is essential for patient trust.
Companies disagree on letting AI complete purchases, but visibility on AI platforms is becoming harder to ignore.
AI has made it easier than ever to produce marketing content, but speed doesn’t guarantee quality. Better work depends on giving AI the right context and keeping human judgement at the center.
Buyers are spending more selectively, making clear benefits—not routine upgrades—key to purchase growth.
Comerica offers the bank a path to deepening current relationships, though its $10B deposit target looks ambitious.
Security, transparency, and approvals can build trust before consumers hand over higher-value purchases.
AI shopping is forcing marketers to rethink which digital channels matter most for brand visibility. For years, marketers have concentrated resources on two questions: Where do consumers spend their time, and where do they spend their money? AI product recommendations add a third: Where do large language models (LLMs) get the information that shapes what they recommend? “You also need to consider where these LLMs are sourcing recommendations,” said our analyst Blake Droesch during EMARKETER's Future of Digital summit.
Muse, a personal AI agent that carries out tasks like searches and shopping on its user’s behalf, has already proven popular. It launched in the US on September 8 and passed 2.5 million downloads by September 21, with an estimated 448,000 daily users by day 10.
In August 2026, we analyzed 4,680 ChatGPT recommendations across 20 consumer health categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.
Unity and AppLovin clash over data collection: The small-but-competitive mobile game ad market makes proprietary data crucial.
In Q3 2026, we analyzed 4,010 ChatGPT recommendations across 13 tech hardware and device categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.
Consumers are looking for more than the lowest price. New research shows shoppers are weighing cashback, rewards, convenience, and product quality as AI and savings tools make it easier to get more from every dollar.
Tools for cash flow, taxes, and marketing extend its agentic strategy beyond payments.
Existing customers show strong purchase intent, while Gen Z makes an active presence especially valuable.
Consumers still pay for convenience and content, but younger users treat services as disposable.