ChatGPT Gets 'Instant Checkout' for Direct Purchases
Source: kmjournal.net
OpenAI Adds Instant Checkout to ChatGPT
OpenAI has incorporated an “Instant Checkout” option into ChatGPT, its AI service for conversations. This updated function enables users to locate items and finalize transactions directly within the chat window, eliminating the need to visit external sites.
Etsy and Shopify Integration
Initially, the feature will accommodate single-item purchases from Etsy in the U.S. and Shopify in Canada. Plans are in place to broaden support to include Shopify’s network, which includes over a million vendors.
Accessibility
The function is available to all ChatGPT users, including those with Plus, Pro, and free accounts. OpenAI stated that this upgrade shows how ChatGPT is evolving from simply offering information to becoming a practical tool for solving real-world problems.
OpenAI will collect a commission on each purchase made; however, users will not incur additional charges.
Agentic Commerce Protocol
The system relies on OpenAI’s new “Agentic Commerce Protocol,” enabling ChatGPT to not only suggest products but also facilitate the entire transaction process. A partnership with Stripe, a global fintech firm, has established the payment infrastructure. Stripe already manages ChatGPT subscription payments and will now extend its services to support this new purchasing feature.
Competition with Google
Industry analysts believe that this move will intensify the competition with Google. Even though online shopping is essential to Google’s search business, ChatGPT’s capacity to manage all aspects of the purchasing process, from discovery to checkout, may challenge Google’s advertising-based business strategy. Experts suggest that Google’s established market dominance may be threatened if consumers increasingly depend on AI chatbots, instead of search engines, to find product details.