AI Search: How to Get AI to Recommend Your Products with Jay El-Kaake, Osello

From Keep Optimising · 33:21

Show by Chloe Thomas

Jay El-Kaake cofounded the most popular loyalty software in the world called Smile while he was in college. After that he founded Fera, one the most popular reviews apps for Shopify merchants. Now he's cofounded Osello, a marketplace listing platform optimised for agentic workflows, used by Shopify fashion brands listing on Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Target+.In this episode, Jay breaks down how to get your products recommended by AI search, revealing the three key areas eCommerce brands need to focus on: specificity, social proof, and taste. He also explains why 80% of the work is what you should already be doing, and what you can do now to stand out from the competition.Dive in:[06:50] Insights from Shopify.dev Conference[08:42] Shift to AI-driven search[12:25] Optimizing product listings for AI[17:10] Product data and image descriptions[20:04] The value of third-party reviews[23:49] AI training and social interactions[25:47] Insider Tips from Jay![30:16] Episode sponsored by Osello. Get in touch with Osello for optimized marketplace integration. https://www.osello.com/Focus on Specificity, Not Just Broad KeywordsAI search is changing how shoppers discover products. Instead of chasing broad keywords, make your product titles and descriptions as specific as possible. Include details that matter to your customers, such as colour, fabric, style, and fit. A shopper looking for a red snakeskin silk blouse needs more than a page that simply says “blouse.” These specific details can help AI match your product to the right customer and bring you shoppers who are more likely to buy.Build Social Proof Beyond Your Own WebsiteAI looks at more than your product pages when deciding what to recommend. Positive discussions on Reddit, community forums, third-party review sites, and social media can help build trust in your brand. Jay explains that genuine conversations from real customers can carry more weight than you might expect. Encourage customers to share their experiences and make it easy for them to leave honest reviews. Build a strong reputation across the web, not just on your own store.Make Your Brand Distinctive and MemorableAI needs a reason to recommend your product over similar options. Jay calls this “taste,” which means having a unique voice and creative identity. Generic product descriptions may explain what you sell, but they rarely make your brand stand out. Find ways to express what makes your products different through memorable copy, distinctive messaging, and creative ideas. A clear brand identity can help AI recognise what makes your products special and match them to the right shoppers.Takeaways:The rise of AI search is shifting how we discover products. Now, it's not about ranking #1 on Google, but about how an AI agent recommends your brand. Focus on being unique, trusted, and specific to stand out in this new landscape.SEO isn't dead, but AI search is changing the game. Make your product titles and descriptions ultra-specific—think "red snakeskin silk blouse," not just "blouse." Specificity is now your ticket to getting recommended.Social proof matters more than ever for AI recommendations. Authentic mentions on Reddit, reviews, and trusted third-party sites can make the difference. AI values real human chatter – community is your new SEO.Creativity is making a comeback in eCommerce! AI agents love brands with unique "taste". Quirky brand statements and originality help you get noticed. Be bold and let your brand's personality shine.As AI-generated images fill the web, authenticity will set you apart. Think about how to prove your brand's realness -- genuine connections, relatable content, and maybe some classic model shots. Real trust wins.Find the notes here: https://keepopt.com/324**** Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://keepopt.com Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://keepopt.com/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://keepopt.com/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

More episodes of Keep Optimising

More episodes

podsearch is a free, independent podcast search engine. Read about podsearch, the privacy policy or contact us.