practicalecommerce.com·Apr 13, 2026
Google's new patent indicates a potential expansion in its search capabilities, allowing the company to answer queries directly and facilitate a separation between customers and businesses.
Google's potential expansion into directly answering queries could disrupt traditional e-commerce funnels by reducing visibility and traffic to D2C websites. This emphasizes the importance of diversifying customer acquisition channels beyond organic search, such as strengthening social commerce strategies or enhancing loyalty programs to maintain direct consumer relationships.