Episode 263: Shopify’s Product Network: The Quiet Update That Could Change E-Commerce Forever
Release Date: 02/18/2026
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info_outlineEpisode Description
Shopify just released a feature that most brands have not noticed yet, but it could completely change how eCommerce stores grow, monetize traffic, and increase conversion rates.
In this episode, Pep Hufen, CEO of Smart Marketer Agency, breaks down Shopify’s new Product Network, a system that lets your store sell other brands’ products directly inside your own site without inventory, fulfillment, or losing the customer relationship.
“This isn’t an ad network. Shopify is building an ecosystem flywheel.” - Pep Hufen
If you run a Shopify store or work with brands that do, this is a must-listen.
You Will Learn
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How Shopify’s Product Network actually works and why it is not an affiliate program
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How to monetize lost intent when shoppers search for products you do not carry
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Why this feature can increase conversion rate, average order value, and ROAS without more ad spend
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How Shopify is positioning itself as the anti-Amazon
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Why collaborative commerce beats marketplaces for brand owners
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What early adopters can do now to gain a compounding advantage
Links & Resources
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Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/
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Smart Marketer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartmarketerig
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Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/
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Prefer video? Watch Pep Hufen explain Shopify’s Product Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAvm3eu-B0Q
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Omnisend (Smart Marketer Exclusive Offer): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend
Use code SMART for 50 percent off your first three months
Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00:17 Introduction and why Shopify’s update matters
00:01:21 What this change means for Shopify brands
00:01:32 Sponsor message and Omnisend recommendation
00:02:35 What Shopify’s Product Network is and what it is not
00:03:19 How selling products you do not carry works
00:04:06 Why this is not an ad network
00:05:00 Shopify’s real goal and fixing eCommerce leakage
00:05:53 Turning lost intent into new revenue
00:06:43 Increasing the value of every paid click
00:07:36 Why Amazon cannot replicate this model
00:08:27 The three flywheel loops powering the Product Network
00:09:16 What this changes for your catalog strategy
00:10:03 Why customer ownership stays with the host store
00:10:56 Why early movers will capture the biggest advantage
00:11:06 Final thoughts and closing
Your Engagement Matters
Thank you for listening to the Smart Marketer Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, share the episode with a fellow Shopify brand owner, and tag us on social using #SmartMarketerPodcast.
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