Council Post: ​What Do Shoppers Ask AI First?

A Council Post argues that the first question shoppers type into an AI assistant often shapes the entire buying journey. Drawing on research on search intent from Semrush and query behavior from Ahrefs, the author says most “recommendation” prompts cluster into repeat patterns, even if there’s no single universal database of prompts. Typical opening requests include asking for the best option in a broad category (e.g., “best running shoes for beginners”), specifying a use case (“good vacuum for pet hair”), setting a budget (“best headphones under $200”), comparing alternatives, and seeking reassurance before purchasing. The piece notes that AI enables more natural, context-aware guidance than keyword search.