Whatnot acquires Shaped to power real-time live shopping recommendations
Livestream shopping platform Whatnot has acquired AI startup Shaped, a machine learning company focused on real-time recommendations and search. The deal will bolster Whatnot’s personalization and discovery features as it expands into new product categories.
Whatnot's acquisition of Shaped is a strategic move to enhance its live shopping experience with real-time recommendations and search capabilities. By integrating Shaped's machine learning technology, Whatnot can provide users with more personalized and relevant product suggestions, increasing the likelihood of purchases and engagement. This is particularly important in the live shopping space, where users are looking for a seamless and interactive experience.
The deal also highlights the growing importance of AI-powered recommendations in e-commerce. As online shopping continues to evolve, retailers are looking for ways to recreate the in-store experience, where customers can discover new products and interact with sales associates. Whatnot's focus on personalization and discovery features positions it well to compete in the live shopping market, which is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
What's next to watch is how Whatnot integrates Shaped's technology into its platform and whether it leads to increased user engagement and sales. Additionally, as Whatnot expands into new product categories, it will be interesting to see how the company adapts its recommendation engine to accommodate different types of products and user behaviors. The success of this acquisition could also lead to more consolidation in the live shopping and AI-powered recommendations spaces.
Originally reported by techcrunch.com. StreamNews adds analysis for technology readers.