ChatGPT Shopping: What Merchants Need to Know
ChatGPT has evolved from a conversational AI to a powerful shopping assistant. With Browse, Operator mode, and direct retailer integrations, millions of users now ask ChatGPT for product recommendations before making purchases.
Key Stat: According to Adobe (October 2025), 1 in 3 online shoppers now ask AI for product recommendations before buying. ChatGPT is one of the leading AI shopping platforms.
If your products aren't optimized for ChatGPT, you're missing out on a rapidly growing channel of high-intent shoppers.
How ChatGPT Shopping Works
When a user asks ChatGPT for a product recommendation, the system:
Parses the Intent
ChatGPT understands what the user is looking for, including constraints like budget, features, and use cases.
Searches Product Data
It queries product databases, browses the web, or accesses merchant feeds to find relevant products.
Matches Attributes
Products are scored based on how well their attributes match the user's query.
Generates Recommendations
ChatGPT presents top products with explanations of why each fits the user's needs.
Step-by-Step: Get Your Products on ChatGPT
1Enrich Your Product Data
ChatGPT can only recommend products it understands. Basic titles like "Blue Running Shoe" don't provide enough context. You need rich, structured data:
Before
"Blue Running Shoe - $89"After
"CloudRunner Pro - Neutral cushioning, 8mm drop, for daily training 30-50 mi/week"2Implement JSON-LD Schema
Add structured data markup to your product pages. This helps ChatGPT (and all AI systems) understand your products:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Product",
"name": "CloudRunner Pro Running Shoe",
"description": "Responsive cushioning shoe for daily training",
"brand": "YourBrand",
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": "89.00",
"priceCurrency": "USD"
},
"additionalProperty": [
{"name": "Arch Support", "value": "Neutral"},
{"name": "Cushioning", "value": "Responsive"},
{"name": "Best For", "value": "Daily Training"}
]
}
</script>3Allow GPTBot Crawling
Ensure ChatGPT can access your site by allowing GPTBot in your robots.txt:
User-agent: GPTBot Allow: / User-agent: ChatGPT-User Allow: /
4Write AI-Friendly Descriptions
Your product descriptions should answer the questions AI agents ask:
- - Who is this product for?
- - What problem does it solve?
- - When should someone use it?
- - Why is it better than alternatives?
- - How does it work / what are the specs?
5Use PrismCommerce to Automate
Doing all this manually for thousands of products is impractical. PrismCommerce automates the entire process:
- - AI-powered product enrichment
- - Automatic structured data generation
- - Distribution to AI shopping platforms
- - Real-time inventory sync
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my products on ChatGPT?
Ensure your product data is AI-ready with rich attributes and structured markup, allow GPTBot to crawl your site, implement JSON-LD schema on product pages, and create detailed product descriptions. Services like PrismCommerce can automate this process.
Does ChatGPT have a merchant program?
OpenAI has introduced the Agentic Commerce Protocol for direct merchant integrations. Additionally, ChatGPT discovers products through web browsing, so optimizing your site for AI crawlers is essential.
How long does it take to appear in ChatGPT?
Once your site is optimized and crawlable, it can take a few weeks for ChatGPT to index your products. The timeline depends on your site's authority, content quality, and update frequency.
Can I track ChatGPT traffic to my store?
You can identify ChatGPT referrals in your analytics by looking for traffic from OpenAI domains or by implementing UTM tracking on your product feeds.