AI Shopping Assistants Are Here to Perform — Not Just Impress

Business
Marketing
Grant Bostrom
Head of New Ventures
5 min read
February 15, 2025
1. Hey, we’re Reverse
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5. Who said tech couldn’t be human?

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, Generative AI is reshaping how customers shop online. One of the most powerful applications? AI Shopping Assistants — intelligent, conversational interfaces that guide shoppers, answer product questions, and recommend exactly what they need.

But like any new technology, the key question remains:
Are they actually driving results?

To understand the true value of an AI shopping assistant, retailers need to look beyond surface-level usage and focus on metrics that tie directly to business outcomes. In this post, we’ll break down the four most critical KPIs every brand should track — and how Karley stacks up.

What are AI Shopping Assistants?

AI shopping assistants use Generative AI to support customers throughout their journey — from discovery to decision. Unlike static chatbots, these assistants deliver dynamic, personalized help:

  • Answering product-specific questions
  • Offering tailored suggestions
  • Reducing friction in the path to purchase

Think of them as digital sales associates, available 24/7 and fluent in every SKU.

The 4 Metrics That Matter Most

Installing an AI shopping assistant is easy. Proving its value? That takes data.

These four metrics are essential to evaluating whether your assistant is driving the performance you need:

1. Engagement Rate

📊 Definition: The percentage of page viewers who interact with the assistant (e.g., # of unique interactions ÷ total impressions)

If shoppers don’t engage, the assistant can’t deliver value. High engagement means your assistant is visible, intuitive, and helpful — not buried in a corner or mistaken for a generic chatbot.

Why it matters: Strong engagement is a leading indicator that the assistant is capturing attention and becoming part of the customer journey.

2. Conversion Rate

💰 Definition: The percentage of shoppers who purchase after using the assistant.

This is the core performance metric for any tool in your tech stack. A lift in conversion directly ties the assistant to revenue generation.

Why it matters: Conversion rate proves that the assistant isn't just engaging — it’s influencing buying decisions.

3. Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)

Definition: A post-interaction rating from users, typically on a 1–5 scale, measuring satisfaction with the assistant.

Beyond hard conversions, it’s crucial to understand how customers feel about the experience. CSAT reflects whether your AI assistant is truly helpful or just noise.

Why it matters: High CSAT boosts brand loyalty, word-of-mouth, and long-term retention.

4. Attributed Revenue & ROI

📈 Definition: The total revenue from users who interacted with the assistant — and the return on investment it delivers.

Tracking attributed revenue helps connect usage and satisfaction to actual sales impact. ROI tells you if the assistant is worth the cost.

Why it matters: These metrics tie the assistant’s performance directly to your bottom line.

Karley by the Numbers: How We Measure Up

At Karley, we’ve built our AI shopping assistant from the ground up to excel against these four metrics. Our goal: not just to add AI to your storefront — but to make it profitable.

Here’s how Karley performs in real-world implementations:

✅ Engagement Rate: 10%

Karley is embedded directly on product pages — not hidden behind chat icons. This leads to 14x higher engagement than traditional chatbot implementations.

✅ Conversion Rate: 2x+

Shoppers who engage with Karley convert at twice the rate of non-users. By answering questions, removing doubts, and guiding discovery, Karley drives confident purchase decisions.

✅ CSAT: 85% Satisfaction

After using Karley, 85% of customers rate their experience a 4 or 5 out of 5. They love how fast, specific, and intuitive the interactions are — especially compared to clunky chatbots.

✅ Attributed Revenue & ROI: 10x–100x

From lean DTC brands to large enterprise retailers, Karley consistently delivers double-digit ROI. Our clients see attributed revenue scale in line with engagement — proving real business impact.


Final Thoughts

AI shopping assistants are more than a trend — they’re transforming how customers browse, evaluate, and buy. But adoption without measurement is a missed opportunity.

By focusing on engagement, conversion, satisfaction, and attributed revenue, brands can ensure their AI assistant isn’t just a feature — but a performance driver.

With Karley, the results speak for themselves. High engagement. Higher conversions. Happy customers. Real revenue.