Summary
Summary
Learn about the launch of OpenAI’s Instant Checkout tool, the foundation for Agentic Commerce, available through ChatGPT for U.S. subscribers. This tool streamlines purchasing directly from Etsy sellers and soon from over a million Shopify vendors.
ChatGPT is attracting an increasing number of new users from around the world. The validated sources indicate that more than 700 million individuals use ChatGPT with various inquiries weekly. The momentum surrounding ChatGPT and its portfolio of services is growing exponentially.
To expand its possibilities and reach, OpenAI has launched its first tool, called Instant Checkout, that will serve as the foundation for its Agentic Commerce model, available only through ChatGPT. U.S. subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Free will now have the option to purchase directly from U.S.-based Etsy sellers through the chat.
In the upcoming months, the option to buy directly from the chat will be significantly expanded by adding over a million Shopify e-commerce vendors. The Instant Checkout is the result of strong collaboration between OpenAI and Stripe. The Instant Checkout operates through the Agentic Commerce Protocol, co-developed by Stripe.
Operations Mode
Users make a search request in plain language via ChatGPT(e.g., “fashion shoes under USD 300”), and then the following flow comes along:
- ChatGPT should return organic product recommendations, ranked by relevance, not sponsored or preferential by the payment provider
- If XYZ products could be bought through the usage of Instant Checkout, users can move along and orchestrate the entire sales procedure through chat
- Purchasing Order, entire sales transaction, with accompanying fulfilment is run through the vendor’s system; ChatGPT acts as a middleware, only passing encrypted data to the merchant’s system in place
- The vendor pays a transaction fee for the facilitation of the transaction, while ChatGPT users are free of any additional costs
Instant Checkout
The Instant Checkout is the first step of OpenAI to revolutionize the e-commerce ecosystem. The birth of OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce, powered by Instant Checkout and close collaboration with Stripe, will unquestionably reshape the “search” query for the “hoped” product.
As indicated above, the results from the research query conducted through chat should not be biased (due to sponsored content) or preferential (for users who have previously enabled Instant Checkout). The results should be primarily based on the relevance of recommendations generated in response to the raised questions.
When it comes to order orchestration, processing transaction data, and related payments, as well as updates regarding product stock, this scope remains entirely the merchant’s sole responsibility. The vendor strictly maintains its status as the merchant of record. There is no shift of responsibility to OpenAI for this.
Instant Checkout Next Steps
OpenAI indicates the following upgrades to the Instant Checkout:
- Moving from exclusively single purchases to multi-item carts
- Enlargement of the vendors database. In addition to the U.S.-based Etsy sellers bringing along Shopify’s rich third-party suppliers marketplace
- For now, only US subscribers can adhere to the Instant Checkout; the plan is to move to other regions as well
OpenAI views Agentic Commerce as one step “above” Google’s Agentic Commerce model, which concludes its agentic-driven purchasing process before the sale transaction is completed, whereas Instant Checkout moves all the way.
It’s still too early to tell whether this new purchasing logic, driven by AI agents, will become a first choice for consumers in the future when they embark on the “journey” of searching for the “right” product. However, it’s not too early to say that the agentic commerce is here, and it will compete with more “traditional” roads of online commerce.
If you are interested in learning more about Agentic AI Commerce, please refer to our article, which provides an in-depth explanation of this subject.
Takeaway
OpenAI could be on the brink of leading the way to an entirely new model for consumers worldwide to find and purchase products. The birth and further development of AI chat as a communication tool that leads customers to discover and later purchase products has the potential to seriously challenge the predominant search engine models used by Google and other search engines.
Author: Aleksandar Delic
Is the birth of the Instant Checkout the start of a new era when it comes to searching for products and order orchestration within the e-commerce ecosystem? As always, time will tell.
Indirect Tax Manager – E-Commerce
Frequently asked questions
Instant Checkout is OpenAI’s first tool for Agentic Commerce, allowing U.S. ChatGPT users to make direct purchases from Etsy and, soon, Shopify vendors. It facilitates seamless transactions through chat, powered by collaboration with Stripe.
Users make a search query in plain language (e.g., “fashion shoes under USD 300”), and ChatGPT provides product recommendations. If available, users can proceed to purchase directly through Instant Checkout, which handles the transaction via the vendor’s system.
The vendor remains fully responsible for processing transactions, managing product stock, and fulfilling orders. ChatGPT merely acts as a middleware, passing encrypted data between the user and the merchant’s system.
No, users can use Instant Checkout without any additional costs. However, vendors pay a transaction fee for facilitating sales through this service.
Yes, while currently available to U.S. subscribers, Instant Checkout will soon include over a million Shopify vendors, with plans for further international expansion.
OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce, with Instant Checkout, takes the process further than Google’s, allowing full transaction orchestration through AI. It will enable users to complete the entire purchase journey, from search to final payment, within the chat.