BrightonSEO

Retail

How ChatGPT shops: 1 million product carousels and the hidden fan outs that power them

Brighton, Spring 2026

When users ask ChatGPT for product recommendations, something different happens behind the scenes. Instead of standard query fan outs, ChatGPT generates shopping-specific fan outs that interact with Google Shopping via a third party scraper. Understanding this mechanism is essential for any ecomm brand investing in AI visibility.

This talk presents first-of-its-kind research into ChatGPT shopping fan outs, based on analysis of over 1 million product carousels. We found that shopping fan outs differ from standard fan outs 97% of the time. I'll reveal exactly how ChatGPT queries Google Shopping, what signals determine which products appear in the carousel, and what this means for your product feed and content strategy.

I'll also share findings from a broader study of over 20 million standard query fan outs, including why fan out length doubled in just months and why this pattern held across all languages and regions.

Listeners will leave with a practical framework for analysing query fan outs and optimising their ecomm presence in AI search. Designed for intermediate to advanced GEO/SEO practitioners at agencies, brands, and in-house teams.

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About this session

Skyline, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom

Fri 01 May, 2026 | 09:30 AM

Win AI Search in retail with what you already have

Brighton, Spring 2026

The rules have changed. CPCs are rising. Organic click-through is shrinking. AI is answering your customers' questions before they ever reach your site.

Everyone thinks AI search is a black box. They're wrong. 91% of AI citations come from sources you already own. This isn't a crisis - it's your opening. The brands making smart adjustments now are locking in advantages that will be very hard to close.

Wendi will talk through answers to these questions with real stories from top brands and real results:

  • What does it mean to AI visibility alongside your existing SEO metrics
  • Where you have direct control vs. indirect influence in AI results
  • How to move fast on AI answers using assets you already have
  • How one SEO specialist can manage SEO and AEO across thousands of locations

Working with 80% of the world's top luxury, clothing, and restaurant brands, we know exactly what's working and we're bringing it all into this room. Not a someday strategy. Moves you can make Monday morning.

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About this session

Skyline, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom

Fri 01 May, 2026 | 09:30 AM

The Invisible Shelf: How AI Decides Which Products Consumers See

Brighton, Spring 2026

In this talk, Gintare will shed some light in how AI chatbots work in bringing answers to consumers. What metrics should marketeers track in order to understand where they stand in this new search engine.

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About this session

Skyline, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom

Fri 01 May, 2026 | 09:30 AM