Merchant Genius

Merchant Genius operates as a business search directory focusing on e-commerce, specifically by scanning for and listing information about Shopify stores. The platform provides data on these online merchants, which is accessible to customers, other merchants, and business partners to facilitate connections. Their database is populated by AI and machine-learning algorithms that continuously scan for new Shopify stores. While the service aims to increase transparency in e-commerce, the aggregation of business information, which can sometimes be linked to individuals, may pose privacy risks. For instance, publicly listing details about small or home-based businesses could inadvertently expose personal contact information or addresses. Individuals running e-commerce sites from their homes could face risks such as doxxing or harassment if their personal details are easily discoverable. To mitigate these risks, business owners should be mindful of the information they make public on their websites and can request to have their shop's information removed from Merchant Genius.