The way people shop online is changing forever. Imagine a customer asking an AI like ChatGPT, “Find me a sustainable yoga mat under $50,” and your product is the one that gets recommended. This isn’t a distant future—it’s happening right now.
To help stores capitalize on this shift, Shopify has quietly released a powerful, yet surprisingly under-the-radar, free app: the Shopify Knowledge Base.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to install and use this app to ensure your store and products are discovered by the next generation of AI-powered shopping.
What is the Shopify Knowledge Base App?
Simply put, this app makes your store intelligible to AI shopping assistants like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. When a shopper uses these AI agents to search for products or ask about store policies, the AI needs clear, structured data to pull from.
The Shopify Knowledge Base app does two critical things:
- Provides Analytics: It shows you what questions AI agents are asking about your store and products.
- Lets You Customize FAQs: It allows you to provide direct answers to common questions, ensuring AI represents your brand accurately.
It’s your direct line to the new “AI search engine,” and it’s completely free.
Get the App: https://apps.shopify.com/shopify-knowledge-base
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up the Shopify Knowledge Base
Step 1: Install the App
- From your Shopify admin dashboard, go to Apps > Shopify App Store.
- Search for “Shopify Knowledge Base“.
- Click on the app (it will be listed as “built by Shopify”) and press Add app.
Step 2: Explore the Main Dashboard
Once installed, the app’s main dashboard is your command center. You’ll see three key sections:
- Product Query Volume: See how often your products are being requested by AI agents.
- Top Product Requests: A list of your most frequently asked-about products.
- FAQ Query Log: The heart of the app. This shows you the specific questions AI agents are asking about your store policies, shipping, etc.
Step 3: Analyze & Answer Unanswered Questions
This is the most powerful feature. The app will proactively suggest questions you should answer based on what the AI is seeing (or not seeing) on your store.
- In the dashboard, scroll down to the “Unanswered questions” section.
- You’ll see questions like:
- “Do you have retail store locations?”
- “Do you offer bulk or wholesale orders?”
- “How can I contact customer service?”
- Click the “Answer” button next to a question.
- A pop-up will appear where you can type a clear, concise answer. For example:
- Question: Do you have retail store locations?
- Answer: Yes! We have a flagship store located at 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA.
Step 4: Review Automatically Linked Sources
Shopify automatically pulls information from your existing store settings to answer some questions.
- In your FAQ list, you’ll see questions like “What language is your store available in?” or “Do you offer pickup?”
- The app will show a “Source” link (e.g., “Language,” “Pickup,” “Customer accounts”).
- Clicking this source will take you directly to the relevant Shopify settings page, allowing you to update that information if needed.
Why This App is a Game-Changer for Your Store
- Early Adopter Advantage: Most merchants don’t know this exists. By using it now, you’re getting a head start in the AI-driven shopping landscape.
- Direct Feedback Loop: You get unprecedented insight into what potential customers are curious about, even before they visit your site.
- Improve Customer Trust: By ensuring AI agents give accurate information about your policies, you build trust and reduce potential friction for customers.
- It’s Free and Built by Shopify: As an official Shopify app, it integrates seamlessly and requires no complex setup.
Pro Tips for Maximizing the App
- Check Monthly: Make it a habit to check the app’s query log every few weeks to spot new trends and unanswered questions.
- Be Clear and Concise: When answering FAQs, write as if you’re talking to a customer directly. Clear answers help the AI provide better recommendations.
- Connect it with a Store AI Chatbot: For a full AI-powered experience, consider adding an AI chatbot to your store. The data you gather from the Knowledge Base can inform the chatbot’s responses!
Final Thoughts
The Shopify Knowledge Base app is a simple but profoundly important tool. In just a few minutes, you can future-proof your store and tap into a new, growing stream of AI-driven customers.
Don’t get left behind. Install the app today, start answering those unanswered questions, and make sure your store is the one that gets found.
Ready to get started?
👉 Install the Shopify Knowledge Base App for Free
