sImage vs Related Products

Visual AI vs traditional keyword and category-based recommendations. Which approach wins for your store?

Quick Comparison

AspectsImage Visual AIRelated ProductsWinner
Recommendation MethodAI analyzes actual product images (CLIP embeddings)Based on keywords, categories, or sales datasImage
Accuracy for Visual Products✓ 768-dimensional vectors capture colors, patterns, styles✗ Limited to exact text/category matchessImage
Best ForFashion, decor, art, jewelry (visual-first products)General retail with defined categoriesTie
Setup Time5 minutes with theme editor block10-15 minutes configurationsImage
Cross-Category Discovery✓ Finds products anywhere in catalog✗ Limited to same categorysImage
Style & Color Matching✓ Understands aesthetics and palettes✗ Requires manual styling rulessImage
Starting Price$0/mo (100 products)Varies ($10-30/mo typical)sImage
Requires Product ImagesYes - uses CLIP modelNo - uses metadata onlyTie
Learning CurveAutomatic - AI improves with catalogManual - requires configurationsImage
Manual Overrides✓ Per-product controlVaries by appTie

Why Choose sImage

  • Visual-first: Best for products where appearance matters more than category
  • Cross-category: Finds similar items customers wouldn't see in category navigation
  • Free tier: Start with 100 products, no credit card required
  • Simple setup: Theme editor block, no coding required

Why Choose Related Products

  • 1
    Category-based: Perfect for products with clear categorization (electronics, tools, consumables)
  • 2
    Mature solutions: Many apps with proven track records and established workflows
  • 3
    Flexible rules: Granular control over recommendations by tags, collections, and custom logic
  • 4
    No API dependency: Uses only Shopify metadata, no external AI services needed
Last updated: February 2026