How Ecommerce Stores Can Generate Traffic From ChatGPT (or other AI chatbots)

Since artificial intelligence (AI) has become mainstream, it has shown immense potential for helping users find information about their queries — more so than what ordinary search engines can provide. As such, people have been flocking to apps like ChatGPT to get more concise answers to their inquiries.

This movement has created a new potential marketing landscape for ecommerce companies. If these businesses somehow manage to have their brands appear in ChatGPT responses, they can unlock new ways to generate traffic to their web pages or products.

Interested in doing so yourself? There are many ways you can potentially achieve this. Kreidman has shared some valuable tips below to help you use ChatGPT for ecommerce.

How ChatGPT Works: Understanding a Language Learning Model

There are several types of AI available for general use; one broad category is the language learning model (or LLM). ChatGPT is an LLM, and understanding how it works is crucial if you want to leverage it for your ecommerce traffic.

An LLM is a type of AI that focuses on creating human-like responses to user queries. To answer your messages, the LLM analyzes a huge amount of publicly available data to learn language patterns. ChatGPT takes information from books, websites, and other types of digital content. With this vast dataset, the AI trains itself to create responses that mimic human language. More specifically, ChatGPT predicts the words as they come in a sequence. This approach allows it to create the coherent and contextually correct responses users see.

Thanks to the general accuracy of ChatGPT, many people trust its answers, using it as a substitute for search engines where you have to click through various sites to get the information you’re looking for. For ecommerce businesses, this change poses a challenge. As more and more people use ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines, you will need to adapt if you want to remain visible to your target audience. One step is to try to make ChatGPT mention your brand and even link to your website. How can you achieve this?

Becoming a Part of ChatGPT’s Ecosystem

There is no guarantee that your brand will appear in ChatGPT’s responses. There are no tried-and-tested processes as of yet, unlike search engines, which have search engine optimization (SEO). Instead, the most you can do is create and publish content that aligns with AI’s data sources.

Publish Authoritative Content

Similar to SEO, developing in-depth content like guides and blog articles may help you become included in ChatGPT’s responses. As you address key topics within your niche, the AI may crawl your website and train itself on the data you provide, especially if it recognizes you as an authority in your industry or vertical. Keep your content well organized to ensure readability and seamless flow of ideas. Having headings, subheadings, and bullet points helps the AI analyze your information more easily.

Use Conversational Keywords in Your Content

Most ChatGPT users word their queries like they’re talking to another person. This propensity requires a new strategy for ecommerce websites: using more conversational keywords. Here are a few example phrases.

1. What are the best affordable skin serums for dry skin?
2. What are the top-rated home decor items for Christmas?

These keyword phrases use more natural language patterns that follow human speech. Incorporating these keywords in your content can significantly increase the chances of your brand appearing in ChatGPT’s responses.

Use ChatGPT To Learn More About Itself

You can ask the AI itself about where it sources its data. Use prompts such as, “What sources do you most likely reference for [topic]?” or “Where would I find information about [niche]?” Based on our observations, the program will usually provide several recurring answers.

Using this information, you can focus on getting your ecommerce brand into the mentioned websites. For example, if ChatGPT cites a niche review blog as a source for information about your industry, then reaching out to the blog and pitching article ideas may help you secure a mention.

Strategic PR and Comment Marketing

Let’s say that you’ve identified a few key platforms where ChatGPT sources its content. The next step is to create a comprehensive, long-term PR campaign that helps you become a mainstay brand on the site used for data gathering. Here are some key steps you can try.

• Craft Unique Content and Pitch It on the Site: From press releases to shareable stories, create content that’s unique to your brand. Then, pitch these stories on the sites so the owners can publish them on their platforms.

• Comment Marketing: A more direct way to become a part of the website’s data is through comment marketing. This means leaving comments or engaging in discussions on well-trafficked blogs or social platforms. When commenting, make sure to add insight and value. Don’t simply mention your brand for the sake of it. Only do it when the discussion calls for it, and avoid self-promotion.

• Take Advantage of Sponsorship Opportunities: Working with creators or platforms known for their visible content increases the chances of you being mentioned on the site used by ChatGPT.

Keep in mind that even though you follow these strategies down to the smallest details, there is still no guarantee that your website or brand will appear in ChatGPT responses. The AI won’t directly mention its specific sources. Plus, as the LLM retrains, it may no longer rely on past data. As such, creating a strong online presence that turns you into an authority in your ecommerce niche remains the most reliable strategy. Ultimately, the goal should not only be to gain visibility in AI-generated content but also to provide real value to your audience.

Ecommerce ChatGPT: How Your Brand Can Appear in AI Responses

As more and more users turn to ChatGPT for their inquiries, ecommerce brands must adapt by ensuring that their company or offerings appear in the responses. While the results are not guaranteed, there are a few steps you can try, such as launching PR campaigns that help you earn mentions on websites that ChatGPT uses for data. These may seem like uncharted waters for your marketing team, so it’s best to ask for help from experts like our team at Kreidman. Contact us today and let’s discuss how you can begin marketing through ChatGPT