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Algolia, the AI Search and Retrieval Platform orchestrating over 1.75 trillion queries each year, trusted by more than 18,000 businesses and millions of developers worldwide, today unveiled its fourth annual 2026 Ecommerce Site Search Trends Report, powered by insights from leading data analytics and advisory firm Escalent.
Algolia released its 2026 B2B Ecommerce Site Search Trends Report, revealing a shift from AI adoption to optimization in ecommerce search.
71% of B2B businesses are now using AI technology for ecommerce, up from 67% in 2025, with 83% more likely to select a search solution with AI capabilities.
44% cite increased customer expectations as the top driver of search and discovery investment, a 7% increase from 2025.
51% of organizations say they already have a well-established ecommerce experience and are prioritizing reinforcement over new investment.
Search and discovery are now central to meeting rising customer expectations, with B2B buyers expecting B2C-level relevance and ease of use.
The report surveyed over 300 current users of B2B ecommerce search platforms across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
The report revealed that AI-powered search is no longer a 'nice to have', but a foundational capability for B2B ecommerce. A growing majority of organizations now rely on AI-driven search to meet rising consumer expectations, improve relevance and usability, and support broader digital transformation efforts.
"We're seeing a clear shift from adoption to optimization of AI-powered search," said Nate Barad, Vice President of Product and Technical Marketing at Algolia. "As buyers demand more relevance, speed, and ease of use, it's critical that companies optimize their AI capabilities to drive real business outcomes. If organizations fail to make this shift, they risk underdelivering on customer expectations, leading to a negative impact on ROI."
AI has moved from experimentation to baseline infrastructure in B2B ecommerce. The report found that 71% of B2B businesses are using AI technology for ecommerce, up from 67% in 2025. Additionally, 83% of respondents say they're more likely to select a search and discovery solution with AI capabilities, signaling AI is now a "must-have," not a differentiator for search vendors.
Search and discovery are now central to meeting rising customer expectations, not just driving sales. Search has become a frontline customer experience lever, with B2B buyers expecting the same relevance, ease, and support they see in B2C environments. The report found that 44% cite increased customer expectations as the top driver of search and discovery investment, a 7% increase from 2025. Another 36% point to competitive differentiation as a key driver, underscoring search as a brand and experience battleground, while 36% are investing specifically to improve the online customer experience, up 2% year over year.
The next phase of B2B digital transformation is about optimization, not expansion. Rather than piling on new tools, B2B organizations are focused on strengthening what they already have – especially around security, integration, and operational efficiency. The report found that 51% say they already have a well-established ecommerce experience and are not prioritizing new investment next year, favoring reinforcement over expansion.
About Algolia
Algolia is the leading AI Search and Retrieval platform, powering 1.75 trillion searches a year for more than 18,000 businesses. With a unified keyword and vector search and retrieval engine, Algolia delivers the world's fastest and most scalable search and discovery technology. Companies rely on Algolia to build agentic, generative, and search experiences through tools like Agent Studio. With over a decade of innovation, Algolia is redefining retrieval-powered applications and the future of AI discovery.
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