Why Ecommerce Brands Should Care About Microsoft’s IndexNow Technology
In a recent announcement, Microsoft Bing highlighted how its IndexNow crawling technology is transforming the way ecommerce businesses get discovered in AI-powered search and shopping experiences. For online retailers, this could be a game-changer.
The Need for Speed in Generative Search
Generative AI tools rely on up-to-date information to deliver relevant results, especially when it comes to shopping queries. For ecommerce sites, keeping that data fresh is a constant challenge. They typically rely on a mix of merchant feeds, traditional crawling by search engines, and structured data through Schema.org to keep their product listings accurate.
But there’s a catch: these methods don’t always work in real time. Slow crawling, missed updates, or inconsistent structured data can all lead to outdated product info—out-of-stock items still showing up, new arrivals going unnoticed, and pricing that’s no longer accurate.
Enter IndexNow
That’s where IndexNow comes in. This technology, developed by Microsoft, allows websites to instantly notify search engines about content changes—whether it’s a new product, a price update, or an item that’s no longer available. No more waiting for search engines to recrawl your site.
The best part? Popular platforms like Wix, Duda, Shopify, and WooCommerce already support IndexNow, making it easy for merchants to integrate. And when paired with structured data via Schema.org, it ensures that accurate, up-to-the-minute product info is quickly indexed and surfaced across AI Search and shopping features.
Faster Indexing, Better Results
In the fast-paced world of ecommerce, having accurate and timely product data isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. With IndexNow, online retailers can ensure their most current offerings are always front and center in the search experience.
If you’re running an online store and want your products to be visible and relevant in the age of AI-powered search, adopting IndexNow might just be your next smart move.
IndexNow recommends the following Schema.org Product Type properties:
>>> title (name in JSON-LD)
>>> description
>>> price (list/retail price)
>>> link (product landing page URL)
>>> image link (image in JSON-LD)
>>> shipping (especially important for Germany and Austria)
>>> id (a unique identifier for the product)
>>> brand
>>> gtin
>>> mpn
>>> datePublished
>>> dateModified
>>> Optional fields to further enhance context and classification:
>>> category (helps group products for search and shopping platforms)
>>> seller (recommended for marketplaces or resellers)
>>> itemCondition (e.g., NewCondition, UsedCondition)
Read more at Microsoft Bing’s Blog: IndexNow Enables Faster and More Reliable Updates for Shopping and Ads
