IT News Correspondent
By Juliet Orbo
In a move set to transform how people shop online, OpenAI has announced a new feature called “Instant Checkout,” allowing ChatGPT users to buy products without leaving the chat interface.
The feature, unveiled on September 29, lets users complete purchases for specific items directly within ChatGPT, eliminating the need to click through to external websites. At launch, “Instant Checkout” will integrate with two major e-commerce platforms — U.S.-based Etsy and Canada-based Shopify.
According to OpenAI, the service will be rolled out to both free users and paid subscribers of ChatGPT Plus and Pro. The company will earn a commission from each transaction, though the exact terms of its agreements with Etsy and Shopify have not been made public. Users will not face any additional charges beyond the listed prices.
Michelle Freydin, Head of Commerce Products at OpenAI, explained the company’s vision: “ChatGPT’s mission goes beyond providing answers; we want to help solve real-world problems — including making online shopping simpler and faster.”
Currently, Instant Checkout supports single-item purchases, but OpenAI says a cart function for multiple items and one-click payments is in development. The company also plans to expand the feature to markets outside the United States in the near future.
This development signals a growing shift in online shopping habits. Traditionally, consumers relied on search engines like Google to discover and buy products. With ChatGPT now integrating checkout options, analysts say it could eat into search engines’ dominance in the e-commerce space, especially as OpenAI explores its own payment infrastructure.
If successful, “Instant Checkout” may cement ChatGPT’s position as not just a conversational AI, but a full-fledged shopping and transaction hub inside the chat window.
