Chatgpt Integrates Shopping, Challenges Google's Search Dominance

OpenAI's ChatGPT now allows users to shop directly through its interface, blurring the lines between AI assistant and search engine. The new feature, initially available in the US, provides product ideas, summaries of user reviews, and links to merchant websites. This integration positions OpenAI as a more direct competitor to Google. ChatGPT offers a conversational shopping experience, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and compare products in natural language. OpenAI is focusing on fashion, beauty, home, and electronics initially, with plans to expand based on user feedback. This move comes as Google integrates its Gemini AI into its search engine to compete with emerging AI assistants. OpenAI emphasizes that search results are independently selected and not advertisements, differentiating itself from Google's paid placement model. The company plans to add a memory feature to enhance personalization based on user preferences. With over a billion searches conducted last week, OpenAI highlights the growing popularity of its search capabilities.