What is an e-commerce surface?
An e-commerce surface is any page or component where messaging can appear. Common surfaces include product detail pages, listing pages, the cart drawer, the cart, search results, predictive search, recommendation carousels and checkout.
Why does the surface matter?
Because the same true thing about a product lands differently depending on where it is shown. A “trending” message earns attention on a listing page where a shopper is comparing options; the same message at checkout, where the decision is already made, is noise. Knowing the surface is what lets the engine choose a message that fits the moment.
How do surfaces relate to eligibility?
Eligibility rules are defined per surface: each message type is marked appropriate or not for each surface and journey stage. The surface is therefore an input the engine checks before a message can be shown — part of deciding not just whether something is true, but whether it belongs here.
What is the difference between a browse surface and a decision surface?
Browse surfaces — listings, search, recommendations — are where shoppers evaluate products against alternatives. Decision surfaces — the cart and checkout — are where evaluation has already happened. The distinction shapes which messages make sense: discovery and comparison framing on browse surfaces, reassurance and urgency framing closer to the decision.
See the surfaces in the platform
Flockr renders signal-driven messaging across listing pages, product pages, cart, search, recommendations and checkout.