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Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) & Ecommerce

Oli Kashti - Writer and Fact-Checker for Fast Simon
By Oli Kashti

Published December 4, 2024.

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Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) uses generative AI to enhance the search experience. This holds great potential for eCommerce search, discovery and shopping. Let’s take a look at what this means, and how it works.

What Is Google’s SGE?

SGE uses algorithms to understand queries on a deeper level than just keyword-based search. It understands context, intent and even emotions behind users’ search. This results in a more relevant and personalized user experience. SGE analyzes search terms and finds the implicit meaning, creating an optimized search experience.

Why Use SGE?

SGE offers the ability to help users find new products or services that will be of interest to them. Through machine learning, user preferences can be anticipated based on previous searches, behavior and relevant data. This prediction means that results will be met more positively by the searchers.

The result? Businesses gain higher amounts of targeted exposure, and offer a more fun and intuitive search journey. SGE is all about taking the search engine experience to the next leve.

SGE Use Cases

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Product Overviews

SGE can generate information in a concise and appealing way. This text is derived through various relevant sources, including all relevant information (features, reviews, pricing).

Product Comparisons

This feature allows users to compare different products side by side via search. This helps shoppers create informed purchasing decisions, and boosts brand trust.

Contextual Shopping Assistance

Products are shown based not just on the present search query. They also include browsing history, purchase behavior, and users actions. This creates search results that are uniquely relevant and engaging to the shopper.

Visual Product Experience

As well as results being shown in text form, they can also be shown as images. This helps the user create a visual image of the item they might purchase. If your eCommerce store sells physical products, this would be a great advantage.

Limitations Of SGE

SGE is in its initial stages, so there are still areas with room for improvement. Let’s take a look at some of them now.

Monitoring Is Crucial

Since SGE is currently in its evolving stages, it requires a hands-on approach from the backend team at your business. Staying on top of your search strategy is crucial, as new updates will affect your business.

Data analytics will be very important to see how the module is working for your business. A/B testing will be crucial here too. With the results of A/B testing and analytics, updates should be regularly made to web design and content management in order to reflect your findings.

Data Privacy Concerns

As with all personalization in the modern day, making sure you stay data compliant is of utmost importance. You need to find the balance between personalization and keeping your customers’ privacy secure. There are different ways of achieving this, for example through 0 and 1st party data. This must all be considered in advance to keep your users’ trust and satisfaction levels high.

Standing Out From The Crowd

With SGE, if not done well you might lose the competitive edge. On the other hand, adopting SGE early could give you this. However, when more people catch on you will need to stay creative and innovative to differentiate yourself from the crowded marketplace.

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Tips To Adapt Well To SGE

Incorporating SGE into your eCommerce strategy requires some thought and maintenance. Since it’s in its early stages, it’s not yet understood how this will pan out ultimately. However it’s certain that it can have a hugely positive impact on your eCommerce business. In order to stand out from the crowd and boost customer satisfaction, SGE is something that’s worth your time to invest in.