Shopify expanded its AI assistant and content tools in 2024. A new tool can make it feel as though a product catalogue could be organised in an evening. In reality, automation speeds up both good and flawed source data.
Separate facts from wording
Product dimensions, materials, warranty, delivery terms and availability must come from a reliable catalogue. AI can suggest a shorter description, a comparison structure or another language version, but must not invent features. For generated images, check that the appearance of the actual product has not changed.
Start with one work step
For example, prepare drafts for ten similar products and measure editing time, errors and page results. If the team spends more time correcting them, this step has not delivered an automation benefit. Also check whether different markets need different catalogue information.
Keep responsibility clear
Assign owners for the data source, approval and corrections. An AI assistant may help the team, but shoppers still decide based on the business's promise. From a customer's perspective, inaccurate copy is not merely a model error.
What to check in practice
A practical quality checklist for each test could contain four points: facts match the catalogue, copy helps the intended shopper, visuals accurately show the product, and the next step is clear. Initially, check all ten test products. Only then decide whether to automate at greater scale. One large batch of incorrectly generated products can cost more than the editing hours saved.