Bazaarvoice vs ShopMy

Bazaarvoice and Evertune integrate as new research shows brand equity accelerates AI conversions

The strategic partnership pairs Bazaarvoice’s crawlable content infrastructure with Evertune’s enterprise GEO and prompt-tracking platform as study reveals how brands can...

AI Ads Don't Build Brand Trust; Reviews and UGC Do

New research from Bazaarvoice, co-authored by Kiri Masters, reveals that 54% of consumers believe that seeing a brand advertised in an AI tool makes it more likely to be recommended by that tool, a perception that undermines trust in AI ad placements. The study, surveying over 3,600 adults across the US, EMEA, and Australia in June, also found that 62% have used AI to shop, and that shoppers verify AI recommendations through other channels: 76% seek photos/video reviews, 75% read written reviews, and many visit the brand's website (68%), social media (65%), or retailer sites (58%). The article argues that while platforms like OpenAI state ads do not influence its responses, consumer skepticism persists. Therefore, AI ads currently cannot serve as a trust-building mechanism; instead, brands must ensure rich review content and user-generated content are accessible to both consumers and AI crawlers.

• Bazaarvoice research found 54% of consumers believe AI ads influence organic recommendations.
• Study surveyed over 3,600 adults across US, EMEA, and Australia in June 2025.
• 62% of respondents have used AI to help them shop.

Bazaarvoice Launches AI Visibility Package for UGC Discovery

Bazaarvoice, a platform for user-generated content (UGC), announced the launch of its AI Visibility package. The offering helps brands and retailers make their customer reviews, photos, and ratings structured and readable by AI crawlers, enabling better discovery in AI-powered search and shopping. Early clients saw a median 40% increase in AI-driven referral traffic, with 100% of UGC delivered in AI-readable formats. The package includes expert implementation and partnerships with Bluefish, Evertune, and Profound for independent measurement of brand citations in AI answers. Bazaarvoice CMO Doug Straton highlighted that JavaScript widgets remain a blind spot for AI crawlers, and this solution aims to fix that.

• Bazaarvoice launched an AI Visibility package to make UGC discoverable by AI platforms.
• Clients using the package report a median 40% increase in AI-driven referral traffic.
• 100% of client UGC is now served in formats AI crawlers can read instantly.

Ruggable shifts ad spend from Meta to ShopMy creators

Ruggable, the DTC rug brand, is pivoting its marketing strategy ahead of a potential IPO. Over the past 18 months, it has shifted about 10% of its ad spend from performance channels like Meta to brand channels, particularly influencer marketing and connected TV, and plans to increase this by another 15-20% next year. The brand uses ShopMy, an affiliate platform, which has outperformed traditional ads and TikTok as a conversion channel. In the first month of the partnership, Ruggable generated roughly $3 million in revenue, doubling and tripling in subsequent months. To further build brand awareness, Ruggable is developing an internal ambassador program. The CMO emphasizes evolving beyond the traditional DTC playbook, and the company is on track for an IPO within three years.

• Ruggable shifted about 10% of ad spend from Meta to brand channels over 18 months.
• The brand plans to increase brand channel spend by another 15-20% next year.
• ShopMy partnership generated roughly $3 million in revenue in the first month, doubling in month two and tripling in month three.

Turn Your Best-Performing Creator Content into Paid Media with Spotlights

ShopMy has launched a new product feature called Spotlights, which allows brands to turn their best-performing creator content into paid media.

ShopMy, Google, WordPress Among Digiday Technology Awards Finalists

The Digiday Technology Awards has announced its 2026 finalists, showcasing the industry's focus on AI-ready infrastructure, first-party data, privacy, and operational efficiency. Notable finalists include WordPress VIP for Best CMS, recognized for its partnership with Pew Research Center to make content AI-discoverable, and ShopMy for Best E-Commerce Technology, highlighting creator-led commerce. Google is a finalist for Best Sell-Side Programmatic Platform for its work with The Guardian on privacy-compliant monetization. The awards feature numerous categories covering AI, programmatic, data, and more, reflecting a shift from adaptation to reinvention in digital media and commerce.

• Digiday Technology Awards 2026 finalists announced.
• WordPress VIP and Pew Research Center partnership for AI-readable CMS.
• ShopMy nominated for Best E-Commerce Technology.