OpenAI has rolled out a major update to its popular chatbot platform, introducing a new shopping experience directly inside the ChatGPT app. The new feature is part of an overhaul to the ChatGPT Search mode and is designed to let users discover, compare, and shop for products online—positioning it as a serious challenger to Google Search’s shopping feature.
Shop Directly Through ChatGPT
Available in the Search mode of the default 4-o model, the shopping update will allow users to search for products and receive real-time shopping suggestions. These results include visual product details, prices, reviews, and direct links to retailers. Importantly, OpenAI emphasized that none of these listings are advertisements, with all product results chosen independently.
Over 1 Billion Searches in a Week
According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Search has become the most popular and fastest-growing feature, with over 1 billion web searches in just one week. The addition of shopping aims to capitalize on that growth by making ChatGPT a full-service web companion for search and transactions alike.
Expanded Features Across the ChatGPT Ecosystem
Alongside the shopping tool, OpenAI has launched several other updates:
- ChatGPT on WhatsApp: Users can now send a WhatsApp message to +1-800-ChatGPT to get up-to-date answers, including live sports scores.
- Improved Citations: ChatGPT can now offer multiple citations per answer, improving accuracy and enabling better source verification.
- Highlight Interface: A new visual UI helps users see which parts of an answer are supported by citations.
- Trending & Autocomplete Search: Users benefit from real-time autocomplete suggestions and trending searches to improve speed and relevance.
Gradual Rollout in Progress
The shopping update is rolling out gradually to Plus, Pro, Free, and even logged-out users across all supported regions. However, early testers report some inconsistencies—such as broken links or incorrect results—likely due to staggered access and backend refinements still in progress.
A Strategic Strike at Google
This update comes on the heels of OpenAI expressing interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser—should the US Department of Justice force a sale. While speculative, the move underscores OpenAI’s ambition to disrupt Google’s dominance in search and browsing.
Conclusion: A Smarter, More Functional ChatGPT
OpenAI’s move to integrate shopping and improve search features within ChatGPT makes it clear: the company is not just building a chatbot, but a full-fledged AI-powered search and discovery engine. With continued growth and user-focused updates, ChatGPT is steadily becoming a credible alternative to Google Search in daily web interactions.
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