The Future of Commerce Podcast

Multifaceted search: The new wave of online shopping innovation

Episode Summary

Voice, image, video—online shopping is no longer just about typing keywords. In this episode, we explore the rise of multifaceted search and how AI is transforming the way consumers discover and purchase products. From Amazon’s Rufus to AR try-ons and visual search, this deep dive uncovers how shopping is becoming faster, smarter, and more intuitive—and why the future belongs to brands that embrace this shift.

Episode Notes

Shopping online is undergoing a radical transformation—and it’s all powered by AI. In this episode, inspired by the article titled:  Multifaceted search: The new wave of online shopping innovation, we explore the rise of multifaceted search, a powerful evolution in how consumers find products online. No longer limited to keyword searches, shoppers are now using images, voice, video, and even augmented reality to browse, evaluate, and buy.

From Amazon’s AI assistant Rufus to the growing influence of Gen Z expectations, we unpack how multifaceted search is reshaping the future of e-commerce. With visual discovery on the rise and AR/VR tech accelerating, retailers are racing to deliver faster, more intuitive, and deeply personalized experiences.

Whether you’re in retail, tech, or just a curious online shopper, this episode offers essential insight into how multifaceted search is setting the new standard for online engagement.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🤖 How AI is reshaping the online shopping journey

• Amazon’s Rufus and the shift to conversational, contextual search
• Generative AI improving product discovery and customer support
• How AI-driven insights may even influence physical retail layouts

🔍 The Rise of Multifaceted Search

• What it is: visual, voice, video, AR/VR, and gesture-based search
• Why it's becoming essential for product discovery
• The impact of real-world use cases like Google Lens and Pinterest Lens

🧠 Why Visual Search Is Winning

• 50% of consumers say image search is more important than text
• Why search powered by pictures better mirrors how people think
• AR/VR as tools for virtual try-ons and in-context visualization

📈 The Business Case for Embracing It

• 300% increase in online revenue for companies adopting this tech
• How multifaceted search enables deeper customer insight
• Why Gen Z demands seamless, personalized, intuitive experiences

🛠️ Implementation Best Practices & Challenges

• Personalization powered by location, behavior, and purchase history
• Security and privacy considerations in voice/image search
• The technical need for cohesive cross-device interfaces

Key Takeaways:

• Multifaceted search is a game-changer—enabling more natural, personalized online shopping.
• AI tools like Amazon Rufus are already transforming how we browse and buy.
• Visual search is becoming a must-have as Gen Z expectations reshape the UX landscape.
• Brands that embrace these tools now will gain a serious competitive edge.

Subscribe to  our podcast for weekly episodes on the future of commerce.  Explore the latest research and retail insights at The Future of Commerce.  Share this episode with your product, UX, or digital marketing teams—it’s time to rethink search.