This marks a groundbreaking evolution in e-commerce search functionality.

On August 19, as I opened Taobao to quickly grab a cup of coffee, I stumbled upon a new "AI Universal Search" entry on the search page. Intrigued, I clicked in to give it a whirl.

Impressive! This feature seamlessly blends Xiaohongshu, AI, and the shopping cart into a single, streamlined interface. For the uninitiated, a list of "Try asking like this" examples at the bottom swiftly guides you through its capabilities.

Image source: Xiao Lei's screenshot

Let's revisit a familiar scenario: In the past, if I sought a Bluetooth headset compatible with glasses, I'd have to search for "Bluetooth headset glasses," sort by sales, sift through pages of details, compare prices, and jot down the model number to check Xiaohongshu reviews. It was quite a time-consuming process.

Now? Simply ask "AI Universal Search": "Styles of Bluetooth headsets suitable for wearing glasses," and it instantly provides a tailored shopping guide, encompassing headset type, recommendation index, specific product suggestions, product features, and even purchasing advice. Minimal thinking required!

On the result page, clicking on the blue keywords directly searches for related products, adding to the convenience.

Image source: Xiao Lei's screenshot

In essence, it eliminates the hassle of "looking for a needle in a haystack" and presents "products + shopping guides" instead. This "explain-then-list" approach seamlessly integrates Xiaohongshu's product recommendations with Taobao's shopping experience, eliminating the need to toggle between apps.

Additionally, there's a "Deep Thinking" option. Currently, I'm unsure if "AI Universal Search" employs models beyond Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen, like DeepSeek.

I tried "Deep Thinking" by asking, "Which is more suitable for students, Xiaomi 15 or iPhone 15?" The search page revealed the AI's thought process, listing a table comparing processor performance and battery life, along with an analysis of "suggestions for student compatibility." It outlines "pitfalls to avoid" for each phone and concludes with a "final recommendation," including government subsidy and interest-free prompts.

Image source: Xiao Lei's screenshot

This isn't just keyword search; it's genuine "deep thinking."

Previously, I'd spend at least 2 hours navigating guides, but now the entire shopping process takes less than 5 minutes. Traditional search results often yield hundreds of thousands of entries, whereas "AI Universal Search" distills information into a few curated recommendations.

What stands out is the AI's clear logical thinking process. For instance, when recommending Bluetooth headsets suitable for glasses, it first searches for guides in three parts: "Recommended Bluetooth headsets for wearing glasses 2025," "In-ear Bluetooth headsets comfortable for wearing glasses," and "Non-slip Bluetooth headset styles suitable for wearing glasses."

It then queries products based on guide content and helps you analyze, comparing and listing pros and cons of similarly priced products. This approach shifts my decision-making from sales volume to analysis.

We were accustomed to getting social media recommendations and then ordering on e-commerce platforms. Now, Taobao has integrated the "content - search - purchase" loop within its app. This integration brings tangible convenience, eliminating concerns about advertorials on Xiaohongshu or getting lost in numerous purchasing guides.

Give Taobao's search box a try and share your "AI Universal Search" experience in the comments!

Source: Lei Technology

Images in this article are from: 123RF Authenticated Image Library Source: Lei Technology