Krux
February 23, 2026
93% of AI Search Queries Skip Websites Entirely
Published: February 23, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Updated: February 23, 2026 at 12:28 AM
100-word summary
Clear Ads launched an AI Search Optimization service targeting e-commerce brands as 93% of AI Mode queries now bypass websites entirely, according to data cited from Exposure Ninja. The shift matters because 37% of consumers start product searches with AI instead of Google, and 64% use AI tools to discover or research products. Google's January 2026 Universal Commerce Protocol announcement signals a structural shift toward AI-powered discovery. For marketing teams, this means traditional SEO may no longer predict brand visibility in AI-generated answers. Clear Ads recommends starting with an audit of brand signals across AI platforms this quarter.
What happened
Clear Ads launched an AI Search Optimization service targeting e-commerce brands as 93% of AI Mode queries now bypass websites entirely, according to data cited from Exposure Ninja. The shift matters because 37% of consumers start product searches with AI instead of Google, and 64% use AI tools to discover or research products. Google's January 2026 Universal Commerce Protocol announcement signals a structural shift toward AI-powered discovery. For marketing teams, this means traditional SEO may no longer predict brand visibility in AI-generated answers.
Why it matters
Clear Ads recommends starting with an audit of brand signals across AI platforms this quarter.