Brooklyn, New York — February 22, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Clear Ads, an advertising agency, has launched an AI search optimization service designed to enhance brand visibility across AI platforms.
The service is being released as consumer search habits are increasingly shifting towards AI-powered interfaces. According to a January 2026 study by Search Engine Land, 37% of consumers now initiate product searches using AI tools, rather than traditional search engines. Salsify’s Q4 2025 Ecommerce Pulse Report indicated an even higher percentage, with 64% of consumers now utilizing AI tools for product discovery and research.
This shift has resulted in a visibility gap for many e-commerce brands. AI platforms generate product recommendations based on authority signals, mentions in trusted news sources, structured website data, and consistent citation patterns. Brands lacking these signals may not appear in AI-generated responses, regardless of their search rankings.
The timing of this service coincides with structural changes in online purchasing. On January 11, 2026, Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard co-developed with Shopify, Walmart, Target, and Etsy. The UCP is endorsed by over 20 partners, including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, and PayPal. It allows AI agents to compare products, verify inventory, and complete transactions within AI interfaces, without redirecting consumers to retailer websites. Data from Exposure Ninja shows that zero-click behavior already accounts for 93% of Google’s AI Mode search experience.
George Meressa, Founder of Clear Ads, stated that brands are currently optimizing for search pages that are being visited by fewer customers each month.
Clear Ads is an advertising agency founded by George Meressa that specializes in helping e-commerce brands achieve profitable growth through PPC management, DSP advertising, and AI search optimization. Clear Ads serves brands generating $3M+ in annual revenue.
Source: Clear Ads
