ChatGPT Adds Shopping: Browse Products Directly
▼ Summary
– ChatGPT now includes a shopping feature that allows users to search for products and be redirected to merchant websites for purchases, expanding its capabilities significantly.
– The feature is available to all users and tailors product recommendations based on preferences, conversation history, and aggregated reviews from various sources.
– Unlike traditional search engines, ChatGPT uses a conversational approach to refine product suggestions, adapting to user discussions and preferences.
– This development marks OpenAI’s move towards integrating practical utilities into ChatGPT, enhancing user convenience without relying on sponsored placements.
ChatGPT now lets users shop directly through its interface, marking a significant expansion of the AI assistant’s capabilities. The newly launched feature enables product searches with seamless redirection to merchant websites for purchases. Available to all users regardless of login status, this addition transforms ChatGPT into a potential shopping companion without sponsored placements.
During a recent demonstration, OpenAI’s search product lead illustrated how the system tailors recommendations. Whether someone needs an espresso machine or ergonomic office chair, results adapt based on stated preferences, stored conversation history, and aggregated reviews from across the web. The interface mirrors familiar shopping platforms, displaying options from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart alongside purchase buttons for quick checkout.
Early testing focuses on popular categories such as electronics, apparel, home essentials, and beauty products. Reviews powering recommendations pull from diverse sources—professional publisher sites to community-driven forums like Reddit. Users gain control by specifying preferred review platforms, ensuring results align with their trust criteria.
What sets this apart from traditional search engines is ChatGPT’s conversational approach. Instead of relying solely on algorithms, it interprets user discussions to refine suggestions. Mention a preference for black clothing from specific brands during a chat, and future recommendations will reflect that detail. This nuanced understanding could reshape how people discover products through AI-driven interactions.
Image: Example of ChatGPT’s shopping interface showing product listings and retailer options.
While still in development, the feature signals OpenAI’s ambition to expand beyond text-based assistance into practical, everyday utilities. The integration balances convenience with user agency, avoiding paid placements while streamlining the path from research to purchase.
(Source: Ars Technica)
