OpenAI adds ChatGPT business profiles and AI agents for US e-commerce firms

OpenAI is letting businesses claim their profiles on ChatGPT, giving them more control over how their businesses appear there. It is also introducing AI agents—software tools that can carry out tasks—for US e-commerce firms.^[1]

The features are designed to help consumers discover businesses through ChatGPT and give companies more control over how users interact with them there.^[2]

Reaching consumers while they look for a product or service can lead to inquiries, website visits and eventually sales. If more consumers start that search in ChatGPT, businesses may devote more staff time and resources to managing their presence there, changing how they allocate customer-acquisition budgets. Meaningful revenue gains depend on consumer use and whether those interactions turn into purchases; the supplied reports provide no results on either measure.^[1][2]

Impact

• E-commerce and retailOpportunity

  Retailers can assess claiming their ChatGPT profiles, while US e-commerce firms can evaluate the new agents. These offer another route to potential customers, though a sales increase has yet to be established.^[1][2]

• Search and business-discovery platformsRisk

  Platforms that help users find businesses face another competitor. If consumers shift more queries to ChatGPT, those platforms may need to improve merchant tools or the user experience to retain traffic and business spending.^[2]