Online shopping should be easy, but lately, it feels more like a never-ending maze of ads, sponsored links, and paid influencer posts. A growing number of consumers say they don’t trust Google’s search results when looking for fashion brands. Many feel they’re being steered toward brands with the biggest marketing budgets rather than the best fit for their style, size, or budget.
Sitejabber, known for its massive database of consumer reviews, has stepped in with a new solution. SmartCustomer is a discovery platform designed to help shoppers find clothing brands that actually align with their needs—without the usual digital noise.
At launch, the platform features over 500 brands, ranging from household names to independent designers. The best part? Every brand is thoroughly researched and categorized with filters that help shoppers quickly find options that make sense for them.
Why Shoppers Are Losing Trust in Search Engines
A recent Vox Media and The Verge survey paints a clear picture: people don’t trust search results like they used to.
- 76% of respondents believe at least a quarter of Google’s shopping results are paid promotions.
- Only 14% say these sponsored results are truly helpful.
- 42% feel search engines are becoming less useful overall.
- 66% think it’s harder than ever to find reliable product information.
Consumers want honest recommendations, not ads disguised as search results. SmartCustomer is built with that frustration in mind, offering an unbiased way to discover brands based on real preferences, not paid placements.
How SmartCustomer Works
The platform is built around 17 detailed search filters that let shoppers sort brands by the things that actually matter:
- Size range (including specialty sizes like tall, petite, and maternity)
- Price range
- Average shipping time
- Style preferences
- Sustainability practices
- Inclusivity standards
Instead of spending hours sifting through paid search results and influencer promotions, shoppers can cut through the noise and find brands that match their needs instantly.
A Boost for Small and Emerging Brands
SmartCustomer doesn’t just help consumers—it also gives smaller brands a fighting chance.
“Big brands dominate search results because they have the biggest ad budgets,” says Michael Lai, CEO and co-founder of Sitejabber. “We wanted to create a way for emerging brands to connect with shoppers without having to outspend the competition.”
On SmartCustomer, every brand gets a fair shot, whether they’re a global powerhouse or a boutique startup. Since brands can’t pay for better placement, shoppers can trust they’re seeing options based on relevance, not marketing dollars.
What’s Next for SmartCustomer?
The platform is just getting started. More brands, filters, and categories are on the way, expanding beyond fashion to other shopping industries in the future. Brands will also be able to manage their own verified pages, giving them direct control over accurate, fact-based information.
For now, SmartCustomer is free to use, making it an easy choice for anyone tired of digging through search results full of paid promotions.
Finding the right fashion brand online shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle. SmartCustomer makes it simple, giving shoppers a bias-free, ad-free way to discover clothing brands that actually fit their needs.
With trust in search engines declining, tools like this are becoming more important than ever. If you’re tired of clicking through ads disguised as recommendations, it might be time to try something different.
Check it out here: www.sitejabber.com/smartcustomer
