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OpenAI has launched Instant Checkout within ChatGPT, allowing users to go from searching to purchasing in a single conversation, without ever leaving the chat interface. Currently, the experience is available for Etsy stores, but there are plans to integrate with Shopify soon.

A Brief Look into How ChatGPT Instant Checkout Works

ChatGPT users can now create prompts like “Find me a minimalist desk lamp under $50” or “I need running shoes for flat feet,” and the AI will deliver relevant products, giving users the ability to complete purchases directly within the conversation.

Seller Beware: It’s important to note that merchants will lose out on some profits, however, as Open AI will take a small fee from the sale. It’s also unclear at the moment whether merchants will be able to opt out of this experience.

What This Means for Ecommerce Owners

  • New Channel for New Customers – Conversational shopping is just one more way people can find your products! Instead of users browsing your website, they’ll be asking ChatGPT questions like “What’s the best organic dog food for sensitive stomachs?” or “What are the best running shoes for flat feet?”
  • Future of Zero-Click Shopping – Many marketers and businesses often wonder how much research is conducted between an initial search and a purchase, but now this journey can be nearly immediate, as ChatGPT handles it all. All relevant user questions could lead to a purchase, which could mean higher conversion rates but less control over the customer experience.
  • AI-Driven Personal Shopping – Your products get recommended based on how well they match what the user is asking for. This means that you need to provide as much detail on your product pages to get matched to your ideal customer, which is where product FAQs become prime real estate!

How to Have Your Products Added for Instant Checkout

If you’re not on an ecommerce platform such as Etsy or Shopify, you have the option to contact ChatGPT and sign up to have your products included in results, as explained by our SEO Director Brian Gorman:

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About the Author

Sarah Blocksidge

Sarah is our internal Marketing Director and crafts all of our agency's SEO strategies and helps manage our pay-per-click efforts to help us get more clients. She joined the company in 2016 after completing her degree in Strategic Communication at Miami University. Over the years her marketing advice has been featured in Fox Business, Search Engine Land, Content Marketing Institute, HubSpot, Fortune, and more. Follow Sarah on LinkedIn.