Product trends
Product trends in AI search, by niche
How AI assistants are reshaping product discovery in each category — the product types gaining traction, the questions shoppers ask, and how to research them. Pick a niche to dig in.
SkincareSkincare product trends in AI search (2026)Skincare is one of the categories most reshaped by AI search: shoppers increasingly ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity for routines and specific product recommendations by skin type and concern, rather than scrolling reviews. That means the brands an assistant names — often built around a single hero ingredient or a clear routine step — get discovered, while unnamed products stay invisible.ReadHome & kitchenHome & kitchen product trends in AI search (2026)Home and kitchen is a high-volume AI-search category because the questions are practical and comparison-heavy — "best air fryer for a small kitchen," "quietest blender for smoothies." Assistants answer with a ranked short list, so products with a crisp use-case and strong third-party reviews get surfaced first.ReadPetPet product trends in AI search (2026)Pet owners lean on AI search for advice-shaped buying — the right food for a sensitive stomach, a harness for a puller, calming aids for anxiety. Because these questions blend care advice with a product recommendation, assistants surface products that are backed by trustworthy, review-rich sources.ReadFitness & wellnessFitness & wellness product trends in AI search (2026)Fitness and wellness shoppers ask AI assistants for goal-based recommendations — recovery, sleep, home workouts, supplements — and get a short list mapped to their situation. Products with clear, evidence-flavoured positioning and strong review trails are the ones that surface.ReadTech & gadgetsTech & gadget product trends in AI search (2026)Consumer tech is a spec-comparison category, which is exactly what AI assistants do well — "best budget earbuds with good mic," "portable charger for travel." Products with a sharp value proposition and dense, credible reviews get named; commodity gear without an angle gets left out.ReadFashion & apparelFashion & apparel product trends in AI search (2026)Apparel shoppers increasingly ask assistants for fit-and-occasion recommendations — "comfortable work trousers that don't wrinkle," "a versatile travel jacket." Brands with a clear point of view on fit, material or use-case get named; generic clothing without a hook is hard for an assistant to recommend.ReadBaby & kidsBaby & kids product trends in AI search (2026)Parents lean heavily on AI search because the stakes feel high and the options are overwhelming — "safest first car seat," "best sound machine for a newborn." Assistants surface products with strong safety positioning and trusted, review-rich sources, so credibility matters more here than almost any category.ReadOutdoor & campingOutdoor & camping product trends in AI search (2026)Outdoor buyers ask assistants for condition- and activity-specific gear — "a warm sleeping bag for backpacking," "a beginner tent that's easy to pitch." Products with a precise use-case (weight, temperature rating, skill level) and solid reviews get named; generic gear without a spec story doesn't.Read