AI-referred US shoppers browse longer, spend more per visit, data shows

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

U.S. shoppers who use large language models, including Google's Gemini or ​OpenAI's ChatGPT, for purchase recommendations are lingering ‌more on retailers' websites and are more likely to spend, according to May data from Adobe Analytics.

Consumers ​who are referred to retail websites ​from LLMs generated 53% more revenue per ⁠visit than shoppers from non-AI sources, the data ​firm said, emphasizing the need for brands to invest ​in AI-readable webpages.

Retailers whose products show up in LLM suggestions are able to "drive more personalization" to shoppers who ​leave the platforms to complete their purchases ​on the native websites, Vivek Pandya, director of digital ‌insights ⁠at Adobe, said.

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Shoppers referred to e-commerce websites spent 53% more time on the sites than visitors ⁠from ​other sources.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/ai-referred-us-shoppers-browse-longer-spend-more-per-visit-data-shows-2026-06-15/

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Since it's very unlikely AI users just coincidentally tend to shop 53% longer and spend 53% more when referred to a store by a chatbot, it seems more likely that they're just more gullible - more susceptible to chatbot recommendations. I've posted before about studies showing how often AI users will listen to a chatbot rather than using their own judgment.

Too many people appear to be sitting ducks for manipulation by generative AI. Not exactly brain dead, but brain outsourced to AI.

[SorellaLaBefana]

1. AI tends to recommend the Most Expensive items FIRST

It can be helpful for shopping for something complex, about which one knows little. Last year, spent quite a few hours trying to sort out getting a new flat screen TV.

Initially had just measure the (very limited area) into which it had to fit. Wanted to make sure had enough HDMI inputs.

When went to CostCo was busily measuring away on a display model when an 'associate' asked (in the 'stop what you are doing NOW' tone). Told him what I was up to. He wondered what TYPE of screen I was interested in. I said 'a flat screen'.

After a mostly suppressed eyeroll, he then took the time to explain the many different types, and had me look at an angle down the sets on display. Some were noticeably brighter and easier to see ...

After several days of looking up the tech on WWW. Gave up and asked an AI. It pushed the most expensive things, suggested expensive sound bars and whole lot of other stuff.

In the end, I went the the TV model the AI suggested - which was the same one that Thomshardware had said was the best for my price range and viewing conditions.

However, I could never really have sorted out all this techobabble on my own ...