ChatGPT’s New Shopping Research Tool Arrives Ahead of Black Friday
OpenAI has rolled out a new feature called ChatGPT shopping research. It works as a personal shopper to help you compare products, find deals, and pick gifts. Everyone with a ChatGPT account—free or paid—can use it on mobile and web, with nearly unlimited access through the holidays. CNET and Axios report this launch hits just before Black Friday to simplify online shopping. 9to5Mac points out how it speeds up finding the right products.
How It Works
The tool asks questions to figure out what you want, such as your budget or must-have features. It draws from your past chats to make things personal. It checks the web, sticking to solid review sites and Reddit, then puts together a buyer’s guide in minutes. A version of the GPT-4o mini model runs it, tuned just for shopping. OpenAI says it does better than other models on product details.
Prompt it right away, like “find a quiet cordless vacuum for a small apartment,” and it shifts to shopping mode. Or select “Shopping research” from the menu. It takes text prompts and photos too—snap a dress to hunt for cheaper matches under $250. Pro users get proactive suggestions from their chat history.
- Compare products with trade-offs that fit you
- Track deals and availability
- Spot dupes or alternatives
- Suggest gifts, using info like hobbies or pet size
OpenAI trained it to list sources and avoid junk or spammy sites. Still, prices or stock can be off—double-check the retailer’s site. Your chats remain private, with no sharing to sellers. It grabs data from public sites OpenAI can access.
Real-World Testing and Limits
Reporters tested it at a New York press event. One query for a cute air fryer led to follow-up questions, but the top choice fell short. A Disney gift idea for a dad got stuck on Mickey Mouse stuff. ZDNET’s tester called it fun and interactive, similar to Tinder swipes: like or pass on products with explanations, tweaking results instantly. They approved picks for dog treats suited to a 15-pound Yorkie and a fitted, colorful dress near $100. A trickier prompt for a book fan with a dog and Mickey fixation mixed solid ideas, like a Strand bookstore gift card, with a few flops. TechRadar describes how it builds a custom buyer’s guide from your description.
Engadget says it does well with electronics, beauty, and appliances where details count. No affiliate links or buying inside the app for now—it sends you to merchant sites. Plans call for links to Instant Checkout later. OpenAI skips monetization here, unlike Google, which pushes AI shopping.
This move comes as OpenAI faces rivals and high expenses: $20 billion revenue in 2024 against a $5 billion loss, with losses possibly reaching $74 billion by 2028 without changes, according to The Information and The Wall Street Journal reports cited by CNET. With 800 million weekly users and 20 million subscribers, it aims to draw in more shoppers.
Testers say it’s fast and fun to start with, but you still need to shop around yourself. Give it a shot if you’re buying gear this holiday season.
