The New Frontier: The AI, ecommerce and Answer Engine Optimization podcast The Next Six Months Will Define Which Brands Win In AI Search - Here's How To Make Sure You Are Recommended By ChatGPT (Azoma Founder Max Sinclair's Guide to Answer Engine Optimization)
This week, our usual host Max Sinclair, founder of Azoma and former Amazon search leader, takes a turn in the hot seat to dive deep into the transformation AI is bringing to consumer search. With clients like Mars, Zappos, Arla and Mars, Zoma helps global brands optimize their visibility within AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Max explains how the shift from keyword-based ranking to reasoning models with memory and personalization is forcing brands to rethink how they surface online—and how this new era rewards early adopters.
Max shares how Azoma has driven 5–7x increases in brand recommendations on AI platforms by auditing AI visibility, then generating optimized content like product listings, FAQs, and recipes tailored to trending conversational prompts. With insights on consumer behavior—like Gen Z’s heavy AI tool usage—and practical strategies for brands to stay relevant, Max outlines the narrowing window for competitive advantage as AI search rapidly becomes the default experience.
Looking ahead, Max envisions a future of agentic commerce, where AI browsers and embedded assistants handle end-to-end shopping. As consumer trust in AI deepens, he predicts brands will need to focus less on traditional website storefronts and more on clear, human-first content that resonates with both people and models. He also offers powerful advice for aspiring AI founders on timing, founder-market fit, and going all-in to seize emerging opportunities.
This podcast is brought to you by Azoma, Amazing Wave, and Ecomtent.
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