ChatGPT launched its shopping agent that could change online shopping as we know it.
ChatGPT’s OpenAI just gave itself a massive update by allowing users to experience shopping inside ChatGPT, unlocking opportunities for businesses to increase their product sales. So, how do you take advantage of the ChatGPT search engine to grow your own customer base and revenue?
With ChatGPT search already handling over a billion web searches weekly and users preferring ChatGPT for direct answers and recommendations, understanding these changes is no longer optional — it’s imperative for any brand looking to stay visible and relevant in the online marketplace.
Find out how this shift might affect your existing digital marketing strategies and explore new ChatGPT marketing opportunities for eCommerce brands.
Contents:
• A Hands-On Explanation of How ChatGPT for Shopping Works
• How Does ChatGPT Generate These Shopping Search Results?
• What ChatGPT Shopping Means for Buyers
• What Should Brands Do Next?
• Adapting for the Future of Search and Shopping
A Hands-On Explanation of How ChatGPT for Shopping Works
To try this new feature, simply turn on the Search ChatGPT function and then perform a search related to making a purchase.
For example, let’s say I want to search ChatGPT for buying a TV, I am going to write, “Please help me find the best LED TVs 50 Inches under INR 55,000 (around USD 650).”
Since I am in India, ChatGPT for shopping would display products delivering to my location and in my currency.
ChatGPT will go ahead and scour the web to produce results like those shown below:
We can see all of the different options right here, and you can further scroll to the right and see even more options. Below, it also gives us short insights as to why it picked these options for us.
In addition, clicking on any of the top picks gives us more detailed insights, including the online platforms from which you can buy that product and the prices each of them is offering. You can get an upfront comparison to make your research much easier.
Right now, clicking on “buy” takes you to that seller’s website. But soon, the full ChatGPT shopping journey could happen within the interface, changing how we search, compare and convert.
Another fun feature is “Ask about this” where you can enquire further into a product that you seem to be interested in. See the screenshot below:
And it does not just give you the reviews, but it also summarizes them into usable information, almost like an actual cumulated review derived from all the reviews that people have already given. So you get the overall sentiment, pros and cons — and a conclusion, too! This is changing the game if you are thinking of using ChatGPT for marketing purposes.
There’s another cool feature where you can put your exact requirements and ask ChatGPT to refine your search results.
So, for example, if you want to buy a TV with additional memory for downloading content, you can simply ask for it. This dynamic search ChatGPT experience makes product discovery both smart and personal.
How Does ChatGPT Generate These Shopping Search Results?
“Product discovery is no longer just about search ranking — it is now about AI relevance also,” said Brandon George, Director of Demand Generation at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency. “With ChatGPT’s shopping engine pulling data from across the web and summarizing it conversationally, content doesn’t just need to rank — it has to resonate. This means clarity, completeness and natural language become more important than ever.”
ChatGPT’s search engine actually tells you how it chooses to show you products that match your precise needs. Click on the link, and you will be directed to a very detailed article on their website.
Alternatively, you can use the power of AI itself to summarize the key points from the article and quickly understand how it works so that you, too, can display your products.
ChatGPT’s shopping search results are curated through a combination of advanced algorithms and user-centric design.
Here are three key factors that influence how products are selected and ranked:
1. User Intent and Contextual Understanding
ChatGPT prioritizes understanding the user’s specific needs and preferences. When you input a query, the system analyzes the language used, any specified criteria (like budget or features) and your interaction history (if memory is enabled) to tailor the recommendations.
For instance, if you’ve previously indicated a preference for certain brands or features, ChatGPT considers this information to provide more personalized suggestions.
2. Structured Metadata and Third-Party Content
The selection process heavily relies on structured metadata from third-party providers, including product specifications, pricing and descriptions. Additionally, ChatGPT incorporates third-party content such as customer reviews and ratings to assess product quality and user satisfaction. This comprehensive data collection ensures that the recommendations are both relevant and reliable.
3. Safety Standards and Non-Sponsored Results
Unlike traditional search engines that may feature sponsored listings, ChatGPT’s product recommendations are organic and not influenced by paid placements. The system adheres to OpenAI’s safety standards, filtering out products that don’t meet certain criteria to ensure user safety and trustworthiness. This approach aims to provide unbiased and secure shopping suggestions.
By integrating these factors, ChatGPT for marketing strives to offer a shopping experience that is personalized, trustworthy and free from commercial bias.
What ChatGPT Shopping Means for Buyers
For the buyer, using ChatGPT for shopping means more buying and less searching.
1. Enhanced Shopping Experience
The ChatGPT search engine now provides a more integrated shopping experience directly within the chat interface.
When users inquire about products, they can receive recommendations that include images, current prices, star ratings and direct links to purchase from various retailers. A key highlight here is that these product results are presented as organic recommendations, not influenced by paid advertising. This emphasis on organic results underscores the importance of strong product data and online presence.
Image: The shopping features are now available to all users (Plus, Pro, Free and even those not logged in) wherever ChatGPT is offered. (Source)
2. Seamless WhatsApp Integration
In a move that significantly expands accessibility and potential for real-time interaction, ChatGPT can now be seamlessly integrated into WhatsApp. Users can interact with ChatGPT by simply messaging or even calling the number 1-800-CHATGPT.
This opens up a powerful new ChatGPT marketing channel for businesses to engage with customers, offering instant support, providing product information or even facilitating transactions directly within the messaging platform users are already on.
You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number—available everywhere ChatGPT is. pic.twitter.com/R0XOPut7Qw
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 18, 2024
3. Improved Citation System
Recognizing the importance of trustworthiness and verification, OpenAI has also enhanced ChatGPT’s citation system. The model now provides multiple sources for the information it presents, allowing users to easily verify facts and delve deeper into topics. This improvement in the ChatGPT search engine not only increases the reliability of ChatGPT’s responses but also highlights the value of authoritative and well-referenced online content.
Improved Citations
ChatGPT can now include multiple citations for a given response, allowing you to learn more or verify information across more sources.
We’ve also added a new ‘highlight’ UI to more clearly show which part of the answer the citation refers to. pic.twitter.com/NdojcPyA9T
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) April 28, 2025
“We’re entering an era where content writes your shelf placement in AI-driven marketplaces,” George said. “Platforms like ChatGPT are essentially curating storefronts for users. Your content’s structure, product metadata and reviews are the new planogram. If you don’t have your digital assets in order, you’re not even in the store.”
What Should Brands Do Next?
These updates present both challenges and opportunities for businesses. Here’s what marketers need to be doing:
• Optimize your SEO and content: Appearing in ChatGPT search means your content must be authoritative, keyword-rich and optimized for conversational queries.
• Enhance your content writing assets: Ensure your product pages clearly communicate value in a natural, informative tone.
• Invest in online reputation management: A steady stream of reviews helps you show up more prominently in product suggestions.
• Get strategic with eCommerce marketing: Real-time, AI-driven product discovery means you need to be optimized across every touchpoint.
• Write smarter copy: Product titles and descriptions that match natural search queries will fare better.
“If your product descriptions are written just for the catalog or SEO bots, you’re missing the mark,” George said.
“ChatGPT favors content that mirrors how real people search and ask questions. That means writing product descriptions that feel natural, answer user concerns directly and contain rich, structured details — from specs and benefits to customer FAQs. This is what makes your product discoverable in a conversational AI environment.”
Adapting for the Future of Search and Shopping
The rapid evolution of ChatGPT for marketing signals a significant shift in the marketing landscape. The lines between search, social interaction and eCommerce are becoming increasingly blurred.
For businesses, staying informed about these changes and proactively adapting their digital strategies is no longer a competitive advantage — adapting to ChatGPT Shopping is more of a necessity for survival and growth.
“Winning in ChatGPT shopping means building content that performs like a product expert,” George said.
“Consumers want confidence. They want AI to summarize trustworthy reviews, specs and also pros and cons. So your job is to make it easy for the AI to find that information — which means structuring your content like an educated salesperson who has read every manual and review.”
At Thrive, we understand the complexities of navigating this evolving AI-dominated world.
Our services in content writing, reputation management and eCommerce marketing are specifically designed to help your brand thrive in an environment where conversational AI plays an increasingly central role in the customer journey. By optimizing your online presence, building a strong reputation and refining your eCommerce strategies, you can ensure your brand is front and center in the age of AI-powered search and shopping.
Contact us today.
