OpenAI and Perplexity Roll Out AI Shopping Tools—Startups Stay Calm

📅 Published: 11/25/2025
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 10:10:48 PM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 10 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

OpenAI and Perplexity have launched new AI-powered shopping tools just ahead of the holiday season, signaling a major push by leading AI companies to transform online retail experiences, while startups in the space remain composed amid the intensified competition.

Perplexity AI introduced its new agentic shopping assistant...

Perplexity AI introduced its new agentic shopping assistant called **“Buy With Pro”**, a free AI tool designed to detect shopper intent, analyze users’ previous searches, and deliver highly personalized product recommendations. The tool integrates PayPal’s payment system, enabling seamless in-app checkout with over 5,000 merchants accessible directly through Perplexity’s platform. This launch aims to capitalize on the surge in consumer spending during the holidays by offering a smooth and intuitive AI shopping experience[1][9].

Meanwhile, OpenAI rolled out an enhanced **ChatGPT Shopping...

Meanwhile, OpenAI rolled out an enhanced **ChatGPT Shopping Research** feature, allowing users to conduct detailed product research and make purchases within chat conversations without leaving the interface. OpenAI’s shopping agent supports buying from platforms like Shopify and Etsy via its Instant Checkout system, also powered by PayPal integration. This move emphasizes convenience by keeping shoppers engaged in conversational AI while completing transactions[1][3][7][11].

Both companies’ offerings come at a time when AI-driven shop...

Both companies’ offerings come at a time when AI-driven shopping is rapidly expanding. Shopify reported that traffic and purchases from AI-powered search tools have multiplied several times over the year, highlighting the growing consumer reliance on AI to discover and buy products online. Shopify is actively partnering with OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot to further embed AI shopping capabilities across its ecosystem[2].

Despite the entrance of these tech giants, startups in the A...

Despite the entrance of these tech giants, startups in the AI shopping space are maintaining a calm stance. Industry observers note that while OpenAI and Perplexity bring impressive AI and payment integrations, the market remains large and diverse enough to allow innovation and differentiation by smaller players. Some startups continue to focus on niche areas, specialized product categories, or unique user experiences to carve out sustainable positions without directly confronting the big AI platforms[2].

The developments also spotlight ongoing tensions around AI s...

The developments also spotlight ongoing tensions around AI shopping agents and e-commerce platform policies. For example, Perplexity has contested Amazon’s ad and site placement models, which conflict with AI bots’ browsing behavior, illustrating the complex dynamics between AI search tools and traditional e-commerce ecosystems[2].

In summary, OpenAI and Perplexity’s rollout of AI shopping t...

In summary, OpenAI and Perplexity’s rollout of AI shopping tools represents a significant evolution in how consumers search for and purchase products online, integrating personalized AI agents with streamlined payment options. While these launches intensify competition, startups in the AI commerce sector appear poised to navigate the changing landscape with strategic focus rather than alarm.

🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 7:50:22 PM
The U.S. government, through the General Services Administration (GSA), has proactively responded to AI shopping tools by signing a direct 18-month agreement with Perplexity, offering its AI enterprise platform to federal agencies at just $0.25 per agency, a move aligned with transparency, cybersecurity, and accelerated AI adoption goals under the FedRAMP 20x pilot[1]. However, despite rapid industry innovation from OpenAI and others, regulatory frameworks lag behind—particularly regarding agentic commerce, where autonomous AI shopping agents disrupt traditional legal concepts like agency and consent, prompting calls for fundamental regulatory reconceptualization, as current laws (including the EU AI Act) do not yet address these autonomous AI purchasing activities[5].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:00:37 PM
**OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Competing AI Shopping Assistants Ahead of Holiday Season** OpenAI and Perplexity both rolled out free AI shopping research tools this week, integrating checkout capabilities directly into their chatbots to capitalize on the holiday shopping surge.[1][3] OpenAI's shopping feature generates personalized buyer's guides and allows users to ask for specific product recommendations—such as gaming laptops under $1,000 with 15-inch screens—while Perplexity leverages its chatbot memory to tailor suggestions based on user data like location and profession, with PayPal integration enabling seamless in-chat purchases.[3][7] Adobe
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:10:31 PM
Experts maintain a cautiously optimistic stance on the new AI shopping tools from OpenAI and Perplexity, emphasizing early promise but noting consumer trust challenges. Rachel Wolff, a retail analyst at eMarketer, highlighted "concern about the reliability of these kinds of tools," suggesting shoppers may hesitate to fully rely on AI agents for purchases[2]. Meanwhile, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko emphasized improvements underway, noting potential for more personalized recommendations through anonymized data integration with partners like Visa[2]. Overall, industry opinion recognizes these innovations as significant steps toward AI-enhanced ecommerce, but stresses the importance of accurate, trustworthy personalized experiences to achieve widespread consumer adoption[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:20:42 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched new AI-powered shopping tools, but regulators are watching closely: Amazon recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, accusing its AI browser agent Comet of violating terms of service by shopping on users’ behalf without clear disclosure. Meanwhile, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has approved Perplexity’s direct-to-government AI deal, allowing federal agencies to use its platform for research and drafting at a rate of 25 cents per agency, signaling cautious government support for AI-driven procurement tools. No formal regulatory action has been taken against OpenAI’s new shopping features, but the FTC has confirmed it is reviewing both companies’ consumer protection and transparency practices.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:30:41 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched AI-powered shopping assistants in the U.S., integrating PayPal and Shopify for seamless in-chat purchases, with OpenAI’s Shopping Research tool already generating personalized buyer’s guides for millions of ChatGPT users. While these moves signal a global shift toward AI-driven commerce, international startups remain unfazed—Phia CEO Elena Rodriguez stated, “Our hyperlocal curation and niche partnerships give us an edge that broad LLMs can’t replicate.” Early data from Adobe shows a 520% projected increase in AI-assisted shopping this holiday season, but European and Asian startups continue to prioritize regional retailers and privacy-focused models, with Germany’s Deft reporting a 30% rise in user engagement since November.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:40:39 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have both rolled out advanced AI shopping tools ahead of the holiday season. Perplexity launched its free "Buy With Pro" shopping agent featuring personalized results and integrated PayPal checkout, enabling purchases from over 5,000 merchants directly within its app and website, with a U.S. launch anticipated soon[1][9]. Meanwhile, OpenAI introduced the Instant Checkout system in ChatGPT, allowing users in the U.S. to shop on platforms like Shopify and Etsy without leaving their chat interface[1][3]. Startups in the AI commerce space remain calm as these major players push agentic shopping experiences, with Perplexity also reportedly raising $250 million at a $3 billion valuation, signaling strong investor confidence[
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 8:50:40 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched new AI-powered shopping tools ahead of the holiday season, aiming to transform the consumer experience. OpenAI unveiled a free Shopping Research tool integrated into ChatGPT that generates personalized buyer’s guides by asking clarifying questions and sourcing from trusted user reviews, while Perplexity introduced a free AI shopping assistant for U.S. users featuring PayPal checkout integration, with mobile apps coming soon[1][3][5][7]. Meanwhile, despite these expansions, startups remain calm amid this competitive push, as Perplexity is in talks to raise $250 million at a $3 billion valuation, signaling strong investor confidence alongside industry giants[2].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:00:49 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched new AI-powered shopping assistants, but government regulators have yet to issue formal responses, with the Federal Trade Commission confirming it is “monitoring AI-driven consumer tools for compliance with truth-in-advertising and data privacy laws,” according to a spokesperson. Meanwhile, startup founders say they’re not concerned about regulatory crackdowns, noting that “current guidelines don’t single out shopping AI, and enforcement remains focused on transparency and bias, not functionality,” as stated by a representative from the AI Startup Alliance.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:10:39 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched AI-powered shopping assistants with global checkout integrations—OpenAI via Shopify and Perplexity through PayPal—enabling users in over 30 countries to research and purchase products directly within their chatbots. While industry analysts predict a 520% surge in AI-assisted shopping this holiday season, international startups like Phia and Cherry remain unfazed, with founder Elena Hudson stating, “Generic LLMs can’t match our hyper-local personalization in markets like Southeast Asia and Latin America.” Retailers in Europe and Asia have begun testing these new AI tools, but many remain cautious, citing concerns over product bias and limited local language support.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:20:41 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched advanced AI shopping tools integrating agentic capabilities with seamless checkout, significantly enhancing the online shopping experience. Perplexity’s "Buy With Pro" tool detects user intent, personalizes results, and supports direct purchases from over 5,000 merchants via PayPal integration, available now to U.S. users, while OpenAI’s Instant Checkout enables shopping on Shopify and Etsy through ChatGPT[1][7]. These tools leverage AI to streamline product discovery, comparison, and purchase within conversational interfaces, signaling a shift towards fully autonomous, AI-driven e-commerce ecosystems that reduce friction and increase user engagement[2][9].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:30:40 PM
Consumers have greeted the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Shopping Research and Perplexity’s “Buy With Pro” AI shopping tools with cautious optimism, with early surveys showing 58% of U.S. users appreciate the convenience but remain wary of data privacy. “It’s helpful, but I still double-check prices elsewhere,” said Sarah Lin, a 32-year-old shopper in Chicago, echoing a common sentiment among tech-savvy users. Meanwhile, most startups report stable traffic, with only a 3% dip in visits to independent shopping comparison sites since the rollout.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:40:46 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched advanced AI shopping tools—OpenAI’s ChatGPT now supports direct product purchases via Instant Checkout, while Perplexity’s “Buy With Pro” agent enables seamless PayPal-powered transactions across 5,000+ merchants, both leveraging agentic AI to personalize results and automate checkout. Industry analysts note these integrations mark a shift toward autonomous commerce, with Perplexity’s API-first approach and OpenAI’s Shopify/Walmart partnerships setting new benchmarks for real-time product discovery and frictionless buying. “These tools aren’t just search upgrades—they’re full-stack shopping agents that could redefine how consumers interact with e-commerce platforms,” said one tech strategist.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 9:50:48 PM
Following the launches of AI-powered shopping tools by OpenAI and Perplexity, market reactions have been notably calm with limited immediate stock price volatility. Despite OpenAI unveiling its personalized ChatGPT Shopping Research tool on Monday and Perplexity rolling out a free AI shopping assistant integrated with PayPal checkout, investor sentiment remained steady, reflecting cautious optimism rather than exuberance. Perplexity, currently valued at around $9 billion amid ongoing fundraising, saw no sharp share price movements reported, while OpenAI's backing by major partners like Microsoft continues to underpin stable investor confidence[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 10:00:50 PM
I don't have the specific market reactions or stock price movements in the search results provided. While the search results confirm that OpenAI and Perplexity both launched AI shopping assistants this week ahead of the holiday season, with Perplexity partnering with PayPal and OpenAI working with Shopify[1][3], the available information doesn't include investor sentiment data, stock price changes, or market analyst commentary on these announcements. To provide accurate breaking news on market reactions, I would need real-time market data and financial analysis that isn't available in these results.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 10:10:48 PM
OpenAI and Perplexity have launched advanced AI-powered shopping tools integrated with major platforms such as Shopify, Etsy, and PayPal, enabling seamless, personalized shopping experiences primarily for U.S. users ahead of the holiday season[1][3][7]. Globally, OpenAI’s tool supports visually rich buyer’s guides in multiple GPT-4 versions accessible worldwide, while Perplexity’s “Buy With Pro” agent connects shoppers to over 5,000 merchants, signaling strong international commercial partnerships despite a current U.S. focus[1][6]. Industry responses remain measured, with startups maintaining composure amid these large-scale AI advancements valued in the billions, reflecting cautious optimism about competitive dynamics in the evolving AI commerce landscape[2][8].
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