What are AI catalogs and why are they important?
AI product catalogs a new big trend in the tech AI industry, reminiscent of the internet's development in the 2000s. Here's why they're important:
- Historical context
We've seen this a hundred times before, and here we go again. The rise of AI startup catalogs mirrors the 2000s and 2010s of the web:
Elon Musk's Zip2 moved local businesses from paper to web and put them on the map
Mobile era: Smartphones opened the era of app stores such as AppStore & Google Play
Travel: Flight booking aggregators transformed how we find flights
etc.
- VC steal choose AI
Most venture capital deals in 2023-2024 are focused on AI products. This means these AI startups need somewhere to direct their marketing budgets, beyond traditional solutions like Instagram, Google, and Facebook. AI catalogs are becoming one of the best solutions, offering an easier way to get initial traffic and sales.
- Google can't cover search of AI products
AI catalogs are more specialized and user-friendly than Google when it comes to finding AI tools. It's much easier for new AI products to get listed and rank high in these catalogs. Unlike Google, these platforms attract a highly targeted audience interested in AI solutions. Marketing budgets required for promotion in AI catalogs are significantly lower compared to Google or Facebook. Honestly, just as Google couldn't dominate e-commerce, it's likely to struggle in the AI tools market too.
- User friendly is a key
AI catalogs offer a quick and convenient way for users to find AI tools for any task. They're more user-friendly than general search engines when it comes to discovering and comparing AI products. Users can easily locate the specific AI solutions they need without wading through irrelevant search results.
- Ai startups Importance
AI catalogs provide an efficient way for AI startups to invest their marketing budgets. These platforms make it much easier to gain initial traffic and sales compared to traditional channels. For new AI products, it's simpler to get noticed and climb to the top of search results within these specialized catalogs. This is particularly crucial for AI startups looking to quickly find their target audience and establish a presence in the competitive AI market.
- Real-world case
My friend, an Indiehacker, developed an AI startup called Askpot. His most effective marketing channel are AI product aggregators.
Sales correlation: When his product drops off the featured list in catalogs, sales plummet dramatically. When it returns to being featured, sales skyrocket.
SEO boost: There's a direct connection between visibility in catalogs and SEO performance. Users see the product in a catalog -> Google it by name -> This increases branded SEO traffic
The power of AI catalogs for startups is not only provide direct visibility but also boost overall online presence and searchability.
- Future of search
Specialized platforms for AI products are likely to grow, similar to how Amazon became a leader in e-commerce, while Google may struggle to capture this market.
Currently, the largest ai aggregators are code.market and theresanaiforthat.
- Conclusion
AI product catalogs are becoming a crucial tool for both developers and users, changing the landscape of search and promotion in the artificial intelligence sphere. They offer a more focused and efficient way to connect AI solutions with their target audience, potentially reshaping how we discover and utilize AI tools in the future.