A16z Podcast

The web is unhealthy, and AI agents are about to rewrite how we shop.In this episode, a16z General Partner Alex Rampell and Partner Justine Moore explore how AI agents will change commerce and the implications for Google’s business model, affiliate marketing, online shopping, and more. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:12 The Role of AI Agents in Commerce1:28 Affiliate Marketing & Impulse Buys4:02 Observing Consumer Behavior & AI6:08 Dynamic Pricing & E-commerce Trends7:20 Online vs. Offline Shopping Behaviors10:09 The Challenge of Attribution in Commerce12:19 Aggregators, Brands, and Business Models15:24 Trend Cycles & Single SKU Retailers17:49 Google, Search, and the Freemium Model22:41 The Unhealthy Web & Commercialization26:04 Video Reviews & Trust in Commerce29:10 The Costco Model & Consumer Trust33:15 AI’s Impact on Different Types of Purchases39:56 The Future: Specialized Shopping Agents40:16 Opportunities for New Durable Companies44:18 The Merchant Side: Infrastructure for AI