ChatGPT: Shopping Option

OpenAI has launched a new shopping option on ChatGPT. It answers a user’s query about the products by presenting him a choice from an array of products. A user’s query declares his shopping intent. ChatGPT displays the relevant products in visually rich carousels. It provides additional details and links to users to websites where either they can get more information or can purchase the products. This feature is available on GPT4o and 4o mini. It will be added to Plus, Pro, Free and logged out users. At present, the information is derived from third-party providers. It is exploring the option of providing information directly from vendors.

Could this feature be monetized? Currently, OpenAI says that the showcased products are not ads. However, will this be maintained forever? Could AI chatbots become the marketing platforms in future? In other words, they could become another online classified platform, undermining the productivity narrative being propagated by chatbot companies.

A chatbot presents a product in carousel when it perceives it relevant to user’s intent. It asseses the intent on the user’s query considering the context such as memories or custom instructions. It may consider the likes and dislikes of the users.

Google too has started using AI to show users products relevant to them. ChatGPT’s feature resembles this Google initiative. Google shows the products in listings in search. At present ChatGPT searches are not paid placements, but organic results.

print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *