Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group’s AI-powered business-to-business (B2B) search engine, Accio, reached 1 million users within five months of its launch.

The company also introduced two new features, Business Research and Deep Search. It designed them to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) streamline market entry and global sourcing.

Accio is built on Alibaba’s foundational AI technologies, including the open-source Qwen large language model (LLM). It uses industry-specific data and multilingual capabilities to deliver targeted market insights and sourcing strategies.

Alibaba owns the world’s two largest online marketplaces by gross merchandise value (GMV), Taobao and Tmall. Taobao ranks No. 1 in the Global Online Marketplaces Database, Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of the largest such marketplaces by GMV. Tmall ranks No. 2. Both platforms operate in China and primarily serve the Chinese market. Also among Alibaba’s portfolio is the global B2B marketplace Alibaba.com.

Accio search engine reaches 1 million users

Kuo Zhang, president of Alibaba.com, described the milestone as a step toward simplifying global trade for SMEs.

“Reaching 1 million users is just the beginning,” Zhang said. “Our goal is to refine our toolkit so that anyone can turn product ideas into actionable plans in minutes.”

The Business Research feature automates market analysis by collecting and organizing data on consumer demand, pricing trends, and competition. Users input goals such as launching a product in a new market and receiving real-time insights and structured business plans.  That includes cost estimates and supplier recommendations. This reduces the time needed for market research and strategic planning.

Deep Search enhances product sourcing by adapting to complex specifications, including technical requirements, certifications, and budget limits. It also refines search results using industry-specific terminology and verifies supplier reliability. The tool generates AI-curated supplier shortlists within minutes, helping SMEs navigate the complexities of global sourcing more efficiently.

A recent survey by Alibaba.com of over 4,000 sourcing decision-makers across the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France found that 64% plan to integrate AI into their sourcing strategies by 2025. Their primary goals include improving efficiency, reducing costs, and driving business growth.

Accio’s rapid user growth reflects growing interest in AI-powered trade solutions as businesses seek to enhance competitiveness in global markets, Alibaba says.

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