AI search ads are racing ahead: Spending is set to exceed $101 billion by 2030, even as marketers grapple with sparse performance data.

Consumers are increasingly using AI chat to explore purchases before they ever reach a search engine. Those conversations are creating a new layer of intent signals that marketers have only begun to tap into.

There’s no hard and fast rule for when to invest in new technologies, said David Cost, Chief Digital Officer at Rainbow Shops on a recent “Reimagining Retail” episode.

In today's podcast episode, we discuss why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout didn't take off, the strengths and weaknesses of today's third-party AI shopping assistants, why they struggle with conversion, and what AI shopping might look like a year from now. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with analysts Grace Harmon and Rachel Wolff. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.

ChatGPT remains one of the web's most-visited destinations, but AI users are becoming increasingly platform-agnostic. New traffic patterns reveal how competitors are attracting a growing share of attention.

Different playbooks emerge as companies look to monetize their chatbots without losing trust.

Unlike broad LLMs, Talkspace's AI companion tool adds therapist intervention when its AI detects a crisis, making safety its potential edge.

The biggest US card network could jumpstart AI commerce with its wide global acceptance.

In May 2026, we analyzed 5,600 ChatGPT responses across nine financial services categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

In May 2026, we analyzed more than 5,200 ChatGPT responses across nine personal care and beauty categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

Chatbots now steer patient choice, surfacing providers with rich, accurate site data.

Loan searches start in-chat, routing qualified borrowers to its marketplace and lender network.

Physicians integrate both general-purpose and clinical AI into daily workflows, increasing pressure on pharma brands to tailor drug content for the distinct requirements and outputs of each AI ecosystem.

ChatGPT ads get cheaper via Criteo: Spending cuts and incentives widen access, positioning Criteo as a go-to AI ad gatekeeper.

AI is reshaping search faster than AI platforms can build their ad offerings, which is why most spending still sits beside AI-generated results. Conversational search ads will grow quickly and chatbot ads will struggle to prove their effectiveness.

AI usage is becoming habitual as a broader range of people adopt AI for a broader set of use cases. Google’s lead in traditional search has given it the platform to take leadership in AI users next year, even as OpenAI still commands deeper engagement.

Gen X chatbot users (69%) outpaced both Gen Z (65%) and millennials (65%) in ramping AI chatbot use over the past 12-18 months, second only to Gen Alpha's 80%, according to a February 2026 Gracenote study.

AI shopping features offered by ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft Copilot are broadly similar, but there are variations in the overall experience worth noting. Marketers should know how these tools compare to invest in the right place.

AI platforms’ contrasting approaches prompt new bank strategies.