Search is getting an AI overhaul. This startup says it can help e-commerce brands keep up. (www.businessinsider.com)

Andrew Lissimore, founder of the e-commerce site Headphones.com, has launched a new startup, Lantern, aimed at helping e-commerce brands adapt to the evolving landscape of AI-driven search. Disappointed that ChatGPT overlooked his company in its product rankings, Lissimore recognizes that the advent of AI is reshaping consumer search behavior and is vital for customer acquisition strategies. Lantern, which raised $3.1 million in seed funding from Salesforce Ventures, focuses on generative engine optimization (GEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO) to provide tools specifically designed for e-commerce brands to enhance their product visibility in AI-fueled queries. Lantern utilizes an internal model to predict how products can improve their chances of being recommended by large language models (LLMs). With a subscription model starting at $99 per month, Lantern differentiates itself from competitors by concentrating solely on the niche e-commerce market rather than broad visibility strategies. As interest in AI-driven marketing tools intensifies, Lissimore believes that despite the crowded landscape, there are still plenty of specific needs to be addressed within the sector, making the potential market size substantial for targeted solutions like those offered by Lantern.