ChatGPT Launches Dedicated Shopping Assistant Feature
OpenAI has launched a new feature for ChatGPT, enhancing its shopping capabilities just in time for Black Friday. This innovative tool, named “shopping research,” aims to transform the way users compare products.
Shopping Research: A Seamless Experience
The shopping research feature is now available to all ChatGPT users, including those with free accounts. Users can access it by selecting “Shopping research” from the + menu while logged into their OpenAI accounts. This change allows nearly unlimited usage throughout the holiday season.
How It Works
When users submit shopping-related prompts, ChatGPT intelligently identifies and routes these queries to the specialized shopping assistant model. For instance, a request like “find the quietest cordless stick vacuum for a small apartment” prompts ChatGPT to ask follow-up questions to refine its assistance.
- Comparative shopping for various products
- Tracking down deals and discounts
- Assisting in gift shopping
- Finding similar products based on user-submitted images
For example, users can upload a photo of a dress and request similar options within a $250 budget. As the user interacts with the tool, ChatGPT will prompt further queries to narrow down the suggestions.
Enhanced Personalization Efforts
For ChatGPT Pulse subscribers, the new shopping assistant proactively provides personalized buying guides, tailored from past conversations. This feature utilizes a specialized version of GPT-5 mini, designed explicitly for shopping-related inquiries.
According to OpenAI, this model has been trained to read reliable sites, cite trustworthy sources, and synthesize extensive product research. Compared to previous systems, this enhancement should better capture product details and specifications.
Limitations and Recommendations
Despite these advancements, OpenAI cautions that the shopping assistant may occasionally make errors regarding pricing and availability. Users are encouraged to verify product details on merchant sites for the most accurate information.
The tool performs especially well in specific categories such as:
- Electronics
- Beauty products
- Home appliances
With this feature, OpenAI strengthens ChatGPT’s position in the evolving landscape of AI shopping capabilities. As competition intensifies, this upgrade aligns with the trend of integrating advanced shopping features in AI systems.
