In May, Google unveiled its most significant search redesign in 25 years: an intelligent search box that expands for longer queries and accepts multimodal inputs including videos, pictures, and files. The redesign is Google's bid to hold its dominant position as AI-powered search alternatives gain traction. "This is how Google wins," said our analyst Nate Elliott on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers." "Google wins in AI by convincing people that they don't need to go to a different place to get AI answers."

OpenAI's ad target is not realistic: A 90% shortfall points to ad infrastructure that still isn't ready to attract major marketing budgets.

Nearly half of US digital shoppers (47.1%) have not used AI to shop and aren't interested, according to an April 2026 survey from Bizrate Insights and EMARKETER.

AI research has moved from novelty to habit in the shopping journey, and it's changing more than where consumers start looking. It's changing who wins.

In June 2026, we analyzed 4,010 ChatGPT recommendations across 13 categories in the tech hardware and devices industry to compile the AI Visibility Index.

Apple is positioning its redesigned Siri to compete directly with ChatGPT and other AI assistants with what competitors can't match: billions of active devices already in users' hands and deep integration with personal data stored on those devices. "It's less of a takeover, but more like a fork in the road," said our analyst Gadjo Sevilla, on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers." "Apple is not competing in that space. It's not a general free-for-all model. What it is doing, however, is infusing its own brand of safe, and as we're seeing, highly personalized AI features designed around its users."

Gen Z is embracing AI, but trust in the technology still lags. Even as the tool increasingly shapes work and life habits, traditional search remains the go-to for Gen Z purchase decisions.

As social networks lean into the roles they play in the ecommerce journey, they are flooding their pipes with commerce content they hope will help them in the emerging agentic era.

Google's AI Mode healthcare ad test signals expanding AI ad inventory, though disclosure-heavy healthcare ads remain excluded for now.

OpenAI ads open in European markets: OpenAI is seeking proof that ads can fuel revenues before its IPO.

Retail brands are discovering that securing visibility in AI-generated responses is just the first step in a far more complex challenge. According to new research from Bluefish tracking nearly 200 brands across nine verticals, the brands appearing most frequently in AI answers are often not the ones being described most favorably, a fundamental shift from traditional search marketing.

Ecommerce in Canada is entering a new phase. Buyer growth is slowing, but AI-powered shopping and mobile commerce are driving higher spending, reshaping how retailers compete and where future gains will come from.

AI, sports partnerships, BNPL, Gen Alpha, and digital asset infrastructure will be top of mind for payment providers in H2 2026.

Gen Z is changing the rules of banking. Learn how AI discovery, hybrid banking preferences, evolving trust dynamics, and fragmented loyalty are reshaping customer acquisition and retention.

In making an early move for AI discoverability, Square launches an app and plugin to boost its merchants’ AI visibility.

AI recommendations are reshaping beauty and personal care discovery. In our Q2 2026 update, we track brand visibility, the sources shaping recommendations, and what it takes to stay competitive.

Financial media networks are growing fast, but they face a fundamental weakness: Consumers bank everywhere and shop elsewhere. Closing that gap will determine whether they become major media players or niche data providers.

This FAQ covers search advertising's scale, the AI-driven traffic shifts reshaping it, and how advertisers should redistribute demand-capture budgets in 2026.

AI is adding a new layer to brand discovery before buyers reach a website. As citations and synthesized answers gain importance, marketers face pressure to invest despite shaky measurement and evolving best practices.

Media consumption is climbing again after years of slower growth, thanks partly to genAI. New forecasts reveal how AI, streaming video, live sports, and converged TV are reshaping how US adults spend their time—and driving more screen time in the process.