UPDATE: ChatGPT has just unveiled its groundbreaking “Instant Checkout” feature, enabling users to make purchases directly within the chat interface. Announced on October 23, 2023, by OpenAI, this innovative upgrade aims to transform the online shopping experience by allowing users to buy recommended products without ever leaving the app.
This new functionality is a game-changer for shoppers. For instance, if you ask ChatGPT for the “best mattress under $1,000” or “ideal gifts for readers,” the AI will now provide product suggestions that can be purchased instantly in the chat. Currently, purchases can be made from U.S. Etsy sellers, but this feature is set to expand significantly.
Through a strategic partnership with Shopify, ChatGPT will soon connect users to over 1 million vendors, including popular brands like Glossier, SKIMS, and Steve Madden. This represents a significant step into the realm of agentic commerce, where ChatGPT acts as a personal shopping assistant, facilitating interactions between buyers and sellers while merchants handle payment processing.
OpenAI states, “This marks the next step in agentic commerce, where ChatGPT doesn’t just help you find what to buy; it also helps you buy it. For shoppers, it’s seamless: go from chat to checkout in just a few taps.” This could revolutionize how consumers engage with online shopping, allowing for an uninterrupted flow from discovery to purchase.
Currently, the Instant Checkout feature supports single-item purchases only. The technology, co-developed with payment processor Stripe, emphasizes convenience and efficiency for both shoppers and sellers.
Shopify’s Vanessa Lee, VP of Product, expressed excitement about this shift, stating, “Shopping is changing fast. People are discovering products in AI conversations, not just through search or ads.” This new capability positions Shopify merchants at the forefront of a significant evolution in online commerce.
The Instant Checkout feature comes amid rising competition in the agentic AI space, with e-commerce giant Amazon also introducing its “Buy for Me” function. This allows customers to purchase items from vendors not listed on Amazon.com, facilitating a similar seamless shopping experience.
As the landscape of online shopping shifts rapidly, this development from ChatGPT and OpenAI could have profound implications for consumers and businesses alike. The integration of AI in purchasing decisions is not just a trend; it’s becoming a critical component of the e-commerce ecosystem.
For now, users eager to try the Instant Checkout feature can engage with ChatGPT to explore product recommendations and make purchases directly within the chat. Stay tuned for further updates as this feature expands and evolves, reshaping how we shop online.
