Semrush Study: Super Bowl Ads Are No Longer a One-Night Event
What social engagement, search behavior, and AI-generated answers reveal about who really won the up-to-$10M ad battle
February 13, 2026
A new report from Semrush Traffic & Market and Statista unpacks the data showing how tariffs, artificial intelligence, and shifting consumer behaviors are reshaping the U.S. ecommerce market.
The findings reveal a sector in transformation, expanding in some areas, contracting in others, and redefining how Americans shop online.
A Sample of Key Findings
The insights uncovered in the report highlight not only a changing e-commerce landscape but also a host of challenges and opportunities for businesses in the coming months and years.
Here are a few of the standout insights:
- Tariffs Are Reshaping Competition: Traffic to Asian ecommerce sites fell 25% after U.S. tariff announcements, while domestic retailers saw steadier performance—suggesting a new playing field for global rivals.
- AI Traffic Explodes: Monthly visits from AI assistants have surged more than 30X since early 2024, opening a new discovery channel for ecommerce brands.
- Social Commerce Accelerates: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are powering a $150B social shopping boom—but consumer trust remains uneven.
- State-Level Winners and Losers: From New York’s 7.6% traffic surge to Montana’s 6.8% decline, ecommerce growth now varies sharply by region with a few key factors defining the direction.
Get the Bigger Picture
The U.S. ecommerce market could surpass $1.17 trillion in 2025 under stable conditions, but risks falling below $1 trillion if tariffs escalate. With AI-driven discovery rising, social commerce maturing, and regional divides widening, the brands that adapt fastest will define the next era of digital commerce.
Marketers, analysts, and business leaders will find all of the data inside the full report: from tariff scenarios and traffic shifts to AI adoption and regional growth trends. Download the complete study for free to uncover the trends shaping ecommerce strategies for 2025 and beyond.
