What Are AI Product Recommendations? How They Work for Shopify Stores

Working with Shopify merchants over the years, I have noticed one thing: shoppers don’t want to dig around to find the right product. They want the Shopify store to “know them” and suggest what they are most likely to buy.

That’s exactly what AI product recommendations for Shopify do.

Instead of random guesses, these suggestions are powered by customer data and machine learning. They help Shopify merchants to deliver personalized product recommendations on the Shopify store, improve conversions, and create a smoother shopping journey.

And this isn’t just a trend. According to Statista, product recommendations and predictive customer service are now the top two personalization strategies in marketing. The message is clear: if you want to boost sales with Shopify recommendations, you need smart personalization.

This guide will walk you through what product recommendations are and how they work for Shopify stores. If you are new to eCommerce or already running a successful Shopify store but are unsure how to integrate AI-driven suggestions, this article will give you the clarity and direction to get started.

What Are AI Product Recommendations?

When you walk into a physical store, a smart salesperson knows exactly what to show you: “If you like this shirt, here’s a matching jacket,” or “Most customers who bought this also grabbed these shoes.”

That’s the role of AI product recommendations at Shopify, but in the digital world.

In simple terms, product recommendations are suggestions shown to shoppers at the right moment, on your homepage, product page, cart, checkout, or even in emails.

Powered by a product recommendation engine from Shopify, they use data and AI to predict what a shopper is most likely to buy next.

Curious about the best spots for product recommendations? Dive into Top 5 Locations to Place Product Recommendations in Your Shopify Store.

Types of Product Recommendations for Shopify Stores

Here are the main types every Shopify merchant should know:

A balanced mix of these recommendation types ensures you don’t just push products, you boost sales with Shopify recommendations by showing shoppers exactly what they need, when they need it.

How Do Product Recommendations Work?

At the heart of it, product recommendations work by watching what shoppers do and then using smart AI to suggest items they are most likely to buy.

Think of it like a digital shop assistant that never sleeps.

Step 1: Understanding Customer Behavior

Every click tells a story. The system looks at simple but powerful signals, such as:

• What products did they look at but not buy?
• Which items did they add to the cart but leave behind?
• What combinations do people usually buy together?
• Are they coming back to check the same product again and again?

These questions help the Shopify store learn patterns.

For example, if customers who add a phone to their cart often check for cases, the Shopify store knows to recommend that next time.

Step 2: AI Learns Patterns

This is where AI steps in. Instead of just guessing, it studies patterns and predicts what will make sense for each shopper. That’s why AI product recommendation Shopify tools can create personalized product recommendations on Shopify, because they get smarter the more customers shop.

Step 3: Showing the Right Products in the Right Place

Once the system knows what to suggest, it displays them in the Shopify recommended products section or on key touchpoints like:

• Product pages → “Related items” or “You may also like”
• Cart & checkout → Upsell cross-sell Shopify add-ons
• Emails → Frequently bought together Shopify bundles

In short, how product recommendations work can be summed up as:

Watch what customers do → Ask the right questions → Suggest the right products at the right time.

This simple process is why ecommerce product recommendation strategies are so effective; they make shopping feel easier for customers while helping Shopify merchants boost sales with Shopify recommendations without extra effort.

Top Shopify Apps for Product Recommendations

There are dozens of apps in the Shopify ecosystem, but not all of them are built the same. Some focus only on upsell and cross-sell Shopify bundles, while others provide complete AI-driven engagement.

Choosing the right product recommendation app for Shopify depends on your store’s size, goals, and customer journey.

Here are the top picks for 2025:

If you are looking for the best product recommendation tools for Shopify, AiTrillion stands out for combining personalization with loyalty, memberships, and email marketing, helping Shopify merchants boost sales with Shopify recommendations without juggling multiple apps.

Still confused about which app is right for your Shopify store?

Don’t worry, our complete guide on the Best Product Recommendation Apps for Shopify will walk you through top choices, features, and pricing to make your decision easier.

Benefits of Using Product Recommendations in Shopify

Adding smart recommendations to your Shopify store isn’t just about showing random products; it’s about creating a journey that feels smooth and relevant for every shopper.

Here’s how Shopify product recommendations actually impact your business:

1. Boosting Average Order Value

When you use frequently bought together Shopify bundles, customers are encouraged to add complementary items to their cart, like a phone with a case or a dress with matching accessories.

This not only makes shopping easier for them but also increases the overall revenue per order. Over time, these micro-additions create a significant lift in profits.

With frequently bought together bundles, you can encourage add-ons and raise revenue per order.

To go deeper into this, check our guide on how to create relevant product recommendations to increase average order value.

2. Improving Conversion Rates

A shopper who finds the right product quickly is far more likely to purchase. That’s why strategically placed product page recommendations on Shopify (like “You may also like” or “Complete the look”) reduce drop-offs.

Instead of leaving your Shopify store to search elsewhere, customers stay engaged and check out faster.

3. Increasing Retention & Loyalty

When you customize product recommendations for Shopify to match each shopper’s interests, it makes them feel understood.

This personalized experience builds trust and encourages customers to come back again and again, turning one-time buyers into loyal fans.

You can boost retention and build lasting customer loyalty with the Best Loyalty Rewards Apps for Shopify

4. Creating Personalization at Scale

With AI product recommendation Shopify tools, you can deliver personalized product recommendations on your Shopify store to thousands of shoppers at once.

The system learns from each click and purchase, so recommendations get smarter over time, without you having to do the heavy lifting.

Examples of Product Recommendations in Action

The true power of Shopify product recommendations lies in how and where you display them. When placed at the right touchpoints, they guide shoppers naturally through the buying journey, without feeling pushy.

Here’s how it works in action:

• Homepage: Highlight trending or best-selling items to catch attention and inspire browsing from the start.
• Product Page: Add a Shopify recommended products section with related items or add-ons. For example, show a belt or shoes when someone views jeans.
• Cart & Checkout: Use upsell cross-sell Shopify prompts right before payment, like gift wrap, extended warranty, or a matching accessory.
• Email Marketing: Send AI product recommendations to Shopify campaigns post-purchase, reminding customers of items they may like based on what they bought.

Do you want an in-depth guide? Then check out the Shopify Email Marketing Program and learn how it works for your store.

These placements ensure your ecommerce product recommendation strategies stay relevant across the entire customer journey.

Best Practices for Shopify Product Recommendations

Adding recommendations to your Shopify store is powerful, but only if you do it right.

Here are some proven practices to get the best results from Shopify product recommendations:

1. Smart Placement

Don’t hide your suggestions where shoppers might miss them. Placing product page recommendations in the Shopify store near the “Add to Cart” button works best, since that’s the moment customers are considering extra items.

2. Balance the Volume

Too many suggestions can overwhelm shoppers and lead to choice fatigue. Keep it simple, show 3 to 5 products at most in your Shopify recommended products section, so customers can focus on relevant options.

3. Test Different Formats

What works for one Shopify store may not work for another. Try different layouts like grids, sliders, or carousels to see which gets the most clicks. Testing also applies to upsell and cross-sell Shopify offers; sometimes a bundle works better than single add-ons.

4. Use AI for Personalization

Manual rules have their limits. By using AI-driven product recommendation engines, you can make suggestions based on real customer behavior instead of assumptions. And also by using AI product recommendation Shopify apps, you can increase AOV on your Shopify store.

5. Track and Improve

Don’t just set and forget. Use analytics to see which ecommerce product recommendation strategies drive the most clicks and conversions. Keep refining your placements, formats, and AI rules to maximize ROI.

While product recommendations play a major role in conversions, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. To maximize your Shopify store’s growth, check out our guide on 10 powerful Shopify sales and marketing strategies to scale your store.

Real Success Stories with AI Product Recommendations

AI product recommendations aren’t just theory; they drive measurable results for Shopify stores. Here are some real examples of how brands achieved remarkable growth with AITrillion’s AI-powered solutions:

• Wellness That Works: Living Nutritionals boosted revenue by 139% using AiTrillion’s Automation Powerhouse to deliver smarter product recommendations and personalized offers.
• Growth Rooted in Confidence: Remore Hair scaled faster by leveraging AiTrillion’s Engagement Suite, keeping customers engaged with tailored suggestions that built long-term trust.
• Printing Success: DoorStepInk increased revenue by 85% with AiTrillion’s Automation Powerhouse, turning product recommendations into a consistent growth engine.

These case studies prove that when personalization meets automation, Shopify stores can achieve not just higher sales but also stronger customer loyalty.

How AiTrillion Helps Shopify Stores with Smarter Product Recommendations

What if your Shopify store could act like a personal shopper, always suggesting the right product at the right time?

That’s exactly what AiTrillion’s Shopify product recommendation program delivers.

By understanding each shopper’s behavior, what they view, add to cart, or previously purchased, it creates personalized product recommendations on Shopify that feel effortless and convert instantly.

From a dynamic Shopify recommended products section on product pages to frequently bought together Shopify bundles at checkout and personalized emails after purchase, AiTrillion keeps your Shopify store one step ahead.

The best part?

Recommendations update in real time, so they are always relevant, always fresh, and always driving more sales.

Curious how it works?

Book a demo with our experts and see how AiTrillion turns simple recommendations into real revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question: How do I recommend products on Shopify?

Answer: You can recommend products by adding the Shopify recommended products section or using a product recommendation engine Shopify app like AiTrillion.

Question: How do product recommendations work?

Answer: They work by analyzing browsing and purchase data. Modern AI product recommendation Shopify apps automate this for better accuracy.

Question: What is an example of a product recommendation?

Answer: A classic example is the frequently bought together Shopify bundle, such as showing a phone case and charger when someone buys a new phone.

Question: How can AI help you with product recommendations?

Answer: AI uses real-time data to deliver personalized product recommendations on Shopify, ensuring relevance and helping to boost sales through Shopify recommendations.