OpenAI upgrades ChatGPT search with shopping features

Tech Crunch - Apr 28th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

OpenAI has announced an update to its ChatGPT search tool aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience for users. The update allows ChatGPT to present product recommendations, images, reviews, and direct purchase links in response to user queries. The feature covers categories such as fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics and is available globally in the default GPT-4o model for all ChatGPT users, including Pro, Plus, and Free tiers. OpenAI is aiming to compete with Google by offering a more personalized and ad-free shopping search experience, leveraging structured metadata from third parties for its results.

The update represents OpenAI's strategic move to capture a share of the lucrative online shopping market, traditionally dominated by Google. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been historically against ads, the company hints at potential affiliate fees for purchases made through ChatGPT in the future. This development further establishes ChatGPT's role in enhancing user interaction with AI through personalized experiences, although memory integration for shopping will not be available in several European countries due to regulatory constraints. The addition of trending searches and integration with WhatsApp aims to widen accessibility and reflect features reminiscent of Google's search functionalities.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively communicates OpenAI's recent updates to ChatGPT's search capabilities, providing clear and timely information about these developments. It scores well on clarity and timeliness, making complex AI features accessible to a broad audience. However, it could benefit from a more balanced presentation by including perspectives from competitors or industry experts, which would enhance its depth and credibility. The article's focus on OpenAI's perspective limits its balance, and its reliance on a single source affects the source quality dimension. While the piece is informative, it lacks the engagement elements that might prompt further discussion or interaction among readers. Overall, the article is a solid piece of reporting but could be improved by incorporating a wider range of viewpoints and exploring the broader implications of these technological advancements.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate in its depiction of OpenAI's updates to ChatGPT's search capabilities. The claims about the new features, such as product recommendations, images, and direct purchase links, align with the information provided by OpenAI. The article accurately states that these features are being rolled out globally and will be available to a range of users, including Free, Plus, and Pro users. However, there are areas needing verification, such as the claim that ChatGPT made over a billion web searches last week, which, while plausible, would benefit from an independent source. Additionally, the assertion about OpenAI's competition with Google and its impact on Google's search quality lacks direct evidence within the article.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of OpenAI's new features by highlighting both the potential benefits and the competitive landscape. It acknowledges OpenAI's strategy to enhance user experience and compete with Google, which is a significant player in the search and online shopping market. However, the article could have included perspectives from Google or other industry experts to provide a more comprehensive view of the competitive dynamics. The absence of such viewpoints slightly skews the narrative towards OpenAI's perspective.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and easy to understand, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the new features and their implications. The language is clear and concise, making the technical aspects of the updates accessible to a general audience. The structure effectively separates different points, such as the features themselves, the competitive context, and the potential future developments, aiding comprehension.

6
Source quality

The article primarily relies on OpenAI as its source, which is credible given that it concerns OpenAI's own product updates. However, this reliance on a single source limits the depth of reporting and potential conflicts of interest are not addressed, as OpenAI is naturally inclined to present its updates in a positive light. Incorporating insights from third-party analysts or industry experts could enhance the article's credibility and provide a more rounded perspective.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear explanation of the new features and their intended benefits, but it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to verify claims, such as the reported search volumes. Furthermore, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases in reporting, such as any financial ties between the publication and OpenAI. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the reader's trust in the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-search/
  2. https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/openai-begins-rolling-out-new-shopping-features-for-chatgpt/
  3. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/28/openai-upgrades-chatgpt-search-with-shopping-features/
  4. https://openai.com/chatgpt/search-product-discovery/
  5. https://searchengineland.com/openai-adds-shopping-features-to-chatgpt-search-454714