Traffic apocalypse 2.0: Board-level priorities for AI commerce in 2026

AI transformation

Why LLM visibility will determine tomorrow’s market leaders

The era of AI-powered “answer engines” is here.

Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude are becoming core interfaces for information, recommendations, and transactions. Unlike traditional search, LLMs return single-answer responses — if your brand is not in the answer, it effectively does not exist.

Our analysis of more than 150 assessments shows that brands appear in only about 19 percent of relevant AI-driven queries, exposing a growing visibility gap. Those absent from AI answers are already facing acquisition-cost pressure, while early movers secure a decisive first-touch advantage. An AI recommendation carries outsized authority, shaping preference and accelerating conversion at the point of purchase.

What you will learn

Five priorities leaders must address to prepare for 2026

LLM brand discovery is critical. Measure and benchmark LLM brand equity, mentions, sentiment, and the citation ecosystem so LLM-related KPIs become board-level KPIs.
AI & LLMs directly drive sales uplift. Pioneers report up to 20% sales gains from AI-enabled journeys, while those who fail to adapt risk revenue loss as discovery shifts away from websites.
Consumers are increasingly using agents. Roughly 60% of U.S. consumers already use AI for part of their shopping journey; brands must be discoverable to third-party agents or offer their own agent experiences.
Target operating models are transforming. Agentic AI demands cross-functional redesign: product, pricing, marketing, catalog, and fulfillment must operate as one algorithmic engine.
Immediate investment in leadership and change is key. Technology is necessary but not sufficient: success depends on reorganizing decision rights, governance, and ways of working. Leadership must sponsor bold, focused change.

This whitepaper outlines how leaders should prepare for 2026 as AI collapses discovery, evaluation, and conversion into a single conversational moment. It examines why visibility, third-party authority, and sentiment are becoming direct revenue drivers — and what it takes to remain competitive as answer engines replace traditional search as the primary interface between brands and customers.

Fill out the form below to access the whitepaper and learn actionable insights for mastering AI visibility and commerce in 2026.