Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
During my college days, my cherished LED star string lights from Ikea transformed my dorm room into a cozy retreat. When visitors departed, those lights were the highlight of their conversations. Unfortunately, by the time mine stopped working, Ikea had ceased selling that particular model.
For a couple of years, I scoured Google and Amazon for similar lights before finally giving up. I was disappointed that these beloved lights would become a mere childhood memory, gone forever.
My interest piqued when OpenAI introduced new shopping capabilities for ChatGPT search on Monday. Users can now hunt for and compare product selections, and make purchases directly through the ChatGPT search platform.
Can ChatGPT genuinely improve the online shopping journey? Discover how the latest shopping features in ChatGPT search operate, and learn how I utilized them to find my long-lost favorite LED lights.
Eligibility for ChatGPT’s Novel Shopping Features
All users can access ChatGPT’s latest shopping features. It makes no difference whether you’re using a free or premium account, or if you’re logged into a ChatGPT account at all.
If you decide to log in, ChatGPT search will save your browsing history and customize your shopping outcomes over time. For this assessment, I proceeded without entering a login.
The Mechanics Behind ChatGPT’s New Shopping Features
When you input a query into ChatGPT that seems related to shopping—such as “Where can I purchase Beats noise-canceling headphones?” or “What are the top-rated robotic vacuum cleaners?”—you may encounter integrated shopping results within ChatGPT’s response.
In addition to product details, pricing, and links to the retailers, ChatGPT offers personalized product recommendations, visual product information, and reviews.
The shopping features in ChatGPT are currently limited to electronics, household items, fashion, and beauty products. However, OpenAI plans to broaden these shopping inquiries into more categories.
The product listings in ChatGPT search are not sponsored ads, and OpenAI does not currently receive any revenue from the products people buy through ChatGPT.
Examination of ChatGPT’s Revamped Shopping Features
I began with a simple, straightforward prompt to ensure accuracy and prevent any potential misinterpretations. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
Here’s what I typed: “Find me an affordable, lightweight handheld vacuum.” The results did not disappoint.
Within a few seconds, ChatGPT presented me with several shopping options, akin to those on Google, and a curated list of its top picks with concise reviews. Sources were cited at the end of the results for further exploration.
Upon selecting a product, ChatGPT provided purchasing details and a brief description. I was moderately impressed by this initial test.
Tracking Down My Beloved LED Star String Lights
Intrigued by ChatGPT’s shopping capabilities, I investigated whether they could finally locate the elusive LED lights.
I entered this prompt: “Find me a string of LED star lights that change colors, similar to those from Ikea a few years ago.”
Nostalgia alert!
The first option in ChatGPT’s shopping results brought back a wave of memories. After numerous unsuccessful searches on Google and Amazon, ChatGPT delivered the desired product, neatly presented.
I was thrilled that OpenAI’s shopping feature not only found what I’d been seeking for so long but also made the process seamless and straightforward. I appreciated not having to sift through endless pages of irrelevant results. ChatGPT search delivered the exact outcome I wanted.
For those struggling to find a favorite product, It might be worth attempting ChatGPT shopping as your go-to solution.