Product Introduction
Instant Checkout in ChatGPT enables users to purchase products directly within ChatGPT conversations by integrating merchant catalogs and payment processing. This feature leverages the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open standard developed with Stripe, to connect AI-driven shopping queries with merchants like Etsy and Shopify. Transactions occur seamlessly within the chat interface, eliminating the need for users to navigate external websites. The system prioritizes relevance in product rankings and supports secure, multi-platform payments.
The core value lies in converting ChatGPT’s massive user base of product researchers into direct buyers by reducing friction between discovery and purchase. Merchants gain visibility in AI-powered search results while retaining full control over order fulfillment, customer data, and post-purchase interactions. This creates a closed-loop commerce ecosystem where ChatGPT acts as an intelligent intermediary rather than a marketplace.
Main Features
Organic Product Discovery: Merchants appear in ChatGPT search results based purely on relevance to user queries, such as price range, product attributes, and contextual intent. Ranking factors include availability, primary seller status, and whether Instant Checkout is enabled, though enabling it does not artificially boost visibility. This ensures unbiased discovery while incentivizing faster checkout integration.
Merchant Control and Flexibility: Businesses remain the merchant of record, managing payments, fulfillment, returns, and customer support through their existing systems. Instant Checkout transmits order details directly to merchants via ACP, allowing them to accept or decline transactions programmatically. Payment processing supports Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards, with optional prefilled details for ChatGPT Plus/Pro users.
Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) Integration: ACP provides an open, interoperable framework for AI agents to initiate transactions without replacing merchant infrastructure. Stripe users enable payments with one line of code, while non-Stripe platforms connect via Shared Payment Token API or Delegated Payments Spec. The protocol future-proofs integrations for evolving AI commerce workflows, including automated inventory updates and dynamic pricing.
Problems Solved
Friction in AI-Driven Commerce: Shoppers previously faced disjointed experiences where ChatGPT could recommend products but not facilitate purchases, requiring manual redirection to external sites. Instant Checkout resolves this by embedding transactional capabilities directly into conversational workflows, reducing abandonment rates.
Target User Groups: The product serves merchants on platforms like Etsy and Shopify (with more coming soon) seeking to capture demand from ChatGPT’s user base. Developers benefit from ACP’s open standard to build custom integrations, while end users enjoy a unified shopping experience without app-switching.
Typical Use Cases: A traveler asking ChatGPT for “durable carry-on luggage under $300” receives product recommendations with Instant Checkout-enabled options, compares prices and seller details in-chat, and completes payment using stored credentials. Merchants fulfill orders as usual but gain access to high-intent buyers discovered through AI queries.
Unique Advantages
Non-Disintermediated Model: Unlike traditional marketplaces, Instant Checkout does not insert OpenAI as a middleman; merchants retain direct customer relationships and control over branding, pricing, and data. This contrasts with platforms like Amazon or Shopify’s Shop app, which centralize buyer interactions.
Protocol-First Architecture: ACP’s open design allows interoperability across payment processors and AI agents, unlike closed ecosystems like Facebook Shops or Google’s Buy on Google. Merchants can simultaneously support ChatGPT and other AI platforms without redundant integrations.
Cost-Efficient Discovery: Merchants pay fees only on completed transactions (refunded if items are returned), unlike paid advertising models. Organic visibility in ChatGPT’s search results provides free top-of-funnel exposure, making it viable for small businesses and independent sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How are products ranked in ChatGPT’s search results? Products are ranked based on relevance to the user’s query, including factors like price, availability, and whether the merchant is the primary seller. Instant Checkout-enabled items do not receive preferential ranking, ensuring unbiased results aligned with shopper intent.
What fees apply to transactions via Instant Checkout? Merchants pay a small fee per completed purchase, which is refunded if the customer returns the product. There are no upfront costs or charges for appearing in search results, making it risk-free to participate.
Which payment methods do shoppers use with Instant Checkout? Customers can pay via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Stripe’s Link. ChatGPT Plus/Pro users benefit from prefilled shipping and payment details, which they can review and edit before confirming purchases.
How do merchants integrate Instant Checkout? Etsy and Shopify sellers are automatically eligible without additional setup. Other merchants submit product feeds meeting OpenAI’s specifications and implement ACP-compliant APIs for order processing. Stripe users enable payments with minimal code, while non-Stripe systems use tokenization APIs.
Can merchants market to customers after a purchase? Instant Checkout prohibits using order data from ChatGPT transactions for unsolicited marketing. Confirmation emails and post-purchase communication must originate from the merchant’s systems, ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
