OpenAI just dropped some big news on us. They’re updating ChatGPT search, the web search tool in ChatGPT, to give users a better online shopping experience. The company made the announcement on Monday, so we’re pretty excited about it.
Now, when ChatGPT users search for products, the chatbot will offer a few recommendations, show images and reviews for those items, and even include direct links to webpages where you can buy them. OpenAI claims that you can ask super specific questions in natural language and get customized results. That’s pretty cool, right?
They’re starting this update with categories like fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics. So, if you’re into any of those things, you’re in luck. The feature is rolling out today for ChatGPT Pro, Plus, and Free users, as well as for those who aren’t logged in from anywhere in the world.
OpenAI is really trying to step up its game and compete with Google. They want to offer a more personalized experience for finding products and information online. Google dominates the online shopping world, but OpenAI is coming for that top spot. We’ll see how it goes.
The company is saying that the search product is growing fast. Users did over a billion web searches in ChatGPT just last week. That’s a lot of searching going on.
One thing you won’t find in ChatGPT search results is ads. OpenAI is making sure the shopping results are independent and based on structured metadata from third parties. They won’t get any money from purchases made through ChatGPT search. So, no need to worry about those annoying ads popping up.
The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, used to be against ads in ChatGPT. But in a recent interview, he hinted that he might be open to some advertising if it’s done tastefully. Maybe they’ll charge affiliate fees for purchases made through ChatGPT. We’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.
In the near future, OpenAI plans to integrate its memory feature with shopping for Pro and Plus users. This means that ChatGPT will remember your previous chats and use that info to recommend products tailored just for you. Pretty neat, right? Unfortunately, this feature won’t be available in some European countries.
Along with these updates, ChatGPT search will now show you trending searches as you start typing a question. It’s kind of like Google Search’s autocomplete feature. And guess what? ChatGPT search is now on WhatsApp too. You can message the chatbot to get the latest answers. How convenient is that?
OpenAI has been dabbling in shopping features through its AI “agent” platform, Operator. But now, ChatGPT search with shopping is a quicker and more hands-on experience. You can still search for products using natural language queries. It’s all about making your life easier.
Maxwell Zeff, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, has been keeping us updated on all things AI and emerging technologies. He’s done work for Gizmodo, Bloomberg, and MSNBC. Based in San Francisco, he loves hiking, biking, and exploring the Bay Area’s food scene.
So, there you have it. OpenAI is making moves to enhance your online shopping experience with ChatGPT search. Who knows what they’ll come up with next? Just keep an eye out for more updates from them. It’s all about making your life easier in this digital age.
