Shopify’s new AI baby | Are customer referrals worth anything?

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Welcome back, ecom crusher!

Let’s dive right into it. This week, we’re discussing:

• Shopify’s latest AI acquisition

• Customer referrals - worth it or not?

• Challenge

• Latest ecom trend

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Shopify’s new AI baby: Vantage Discovery

Last Friday, Mikhail Parakhin (Shopify’s new AI poster boy) “tweeted” some big news. Shopify acquired Vantage Discovery, a startup specializing in AI-powered search for online retailers. Back in December, we highlighted Shopify’s new AI focus as something to watch out for since hiring the new CTO.

However, what does this mean for your Shopify store?

We know that the faster customers find exactly what they’re looking for, the more likely they are to buy. So…

• expect smarter, more intuitive search built directly into your Shopify store to help them find your products faster

• get ready for AI-driven personalization - some 3rd-party apps will become redundant

• Amazon-like search might become accessible to small stores

Growth Hack: Are customer referral programs worth it?

Age-old business wisdom tells us that our existing customers are our most powerful marketers. But it’s 2025, and “social influencing” is a real thing. Are referrals worth the effort for store owners in 2025?

Science tells us that referrals are still powerful as ever. Here’s why:

1. Social Proof – “If others love it, I probably will too.”
People trust things other people already trust. It’s why TikTok revives old songs and why trends like cargo pants keep coming back.

• Seeing others refer a brand makes it feel more legit.

• Bonus point if someone in your social circle is making the recommendation

2. Trust & Authority – “Who’s recommending this?”
Following on from my last point, people tend to trust friends/family recommendations over ads.

• This is why micro-influencers (1k - 100k followers) convert better than massive celebrities.

• People trust expertise…if someone seems knowledgeable, they’re more likely to listen.

Huel, the nutrition company leverages this using a mixture of micro-influencers and industry authorities to establish trust at various levels

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3. Reciprocity – “If you give me something, I’ll give back.”
Human nature makes us feel compelled to return favors. So the best referral programs reward both the referrer and the new customer. e.g “Give 20%, Get 20%”

At the end of the day, people love to share.

However, you need to give them a reason to act. Tap into psychology, design your referral program with these principles, and watch it take off.

Challenge: Create your referral program

This week, take 30 minutes to create a customer referral program using Stamped.

Just visit the Page referral widget to set it up and send automatic prompts to your customers to share with their friends and get rewarded

As you attract more visitors to your store through referrals, don’t forget that the same price might not necessarily work for all customers. Price Perfect uses AI to optimize your store’s pricing strategy

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Trend Watch: The Rise of “Clean” Laundry Detergent

Searches for “clean laundry detergent” have doubled in the past five years. And brands like Dirty Labs are leading the charge, attracting capital of up to $4m from multiple investors.

Why is “clean detergent” so hot?

• Eco-conscious consumers want safer, more sustainable options.

• Pollution. One load of laundry can release millions of microplastics.

• Energy savings. Warm water cycles = 60% of emissions from the laundry process.

How to cash in (especially outside the US)

✅ Test plastic-free detergent sheets, plant-based & biodegradable formulas, cold-water activated detergents (for lower energy use)

✅ Capitalize by highlighting sustainability benefits in your marketing.
✅ Offer convenient subscription options as laundry is a repeat-purchase product

That’s it for today, Sellify Club!

Ada