Shopify says AI search is adding traffic instead of replacing Google

Shopify says AI search is sending more traffic and orders to its merchants rather than simply replacing traditional search, TechCrunch reports. The company said AI-driven traffic and orders tripled year over year in the second quarter.

The claim is important because publishers and retailers have worried that AI answer engines could reduce visits by satisfying users before they click. Shopify’s data points to a different pattern for commerce, where AI recommendations may still push shoppers toward stores.

That does not mean Google becomes irrelevant. Shopify’s message is that AI search is emerging as an additional path to buyers, while conventional search continues to matter.

The limitation is that the figures are company-level and do not show how traffic is distributed among merchants. Smaller shops will still need to understand which AI surfaces send qualified customers and how those visits convert.