OpenAI is taking steps to turn ChatGPT into a direct revenue generator by integrating ecommerce features that would allow users to complete purchases directly within the chatbot, according to Financial Times.
The San Francisco-based AI firm is working on a native checkout system for ChatGPT, aiming to take a small commission from product sales made through the platform. This marks a significant strategic shift as OpenAI looks to generate income beyond its subscription services.
Currently, ChatGPT can recommend products and provide links to online retailers such as Amazon and others, but OpenAI plans to make the buying experience entirely seamless by incorporating a checkout option into the chat interface.
This would eliminate the need to redirect users to external sites, creating a frictionless shopping experience. The feature is being developed in collaboration with Shopify, a well-established ecommerce infrastructure provider, which already powers shopping experiences across platforms like TikTok.
Sources familiar with the initiative say that OpenAI and Shopify have already presented early versions of the in-chat shopping tool to several brands and are in active discussions regarding financial terms. The new commerce feature would work by embedding Shopify’s payment technology directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to browse, select, and purchase items without leaving the chat environment.
For OpenAI, which was valued at around $300 billion and has primarily relied on paid subscriptions to tools like ChatGPT Plus and Team, the move into ecommerce presents a new avenue to drive sustainable revenue. The company reportedly lost around $5 billion in 2024, despite generating billions in sales.
CEO Sam Altman has previously hinted at a 2% affiliate fee model for purchases made through ChatGPT’s internal tools, particularly via its “Deep Research” functionality.
As OpenAI refines its AI shopping model, brands and marketers are paying close attention. The possibility of users making purchases without ever leaving a chat could reshape digital marketing strategies and redefine how products are discovered and sold online.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
