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OpenAI tests Businesses in ChatGPT, with AI agents for customer questions

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OpenAI tests Businesses in ChatGPT, with AI agents for customer questions

OpenAI is launching a beta feature called "Businesses in ChatGPT". It puts business profiles directly inside ChatGPT's conversational interface. The Decoder, which reports the launch, says the feature could compete with Google's business tool, which it writes as "MyBusiness" and also calls Google My Business. That is Google's free tool for managing how a company appears across Search and Maps. OpenAI's version challenges it, the outlet writes, by placing the profiles inside a conversational AI interface instead.

Companies can register and manage their business through a Business Hub. There they can update their information, add product feeds with prices and availability, and track how often they are mentioned in conversations and how many clicks their website gets.

Eligible US e-commerce and online service providers can also create "Business Agents". These are AI agents that answer customer questions in ChatGPT and help with product comparisons. They can also serve as targets for ChatGPT ads. Shopify merchants can connect their store directly.

OpenAI says user conversations are not shared with businesses. It also says ChatGPT currently reaches 1.2 billion users per week, and that it plans to expand the offering to more markets and industries over time.

Key facts

  • OpenAI is launching a beta feature called "Businesses in ChatGPT" that puts business profiles inside ChatGPT.
  • A Business Hub lets companies update their information, add product feeds with prices and availability, and track mentions in conversations and website clicks.
  • Eligible US e-commerce and online service providers can create "Business Agents" that answer customer questions, help with product comparisons and can serve as targets for ChatGPT ads.
  • Shopify merchants can connect their store directly; OpenAI says user conversations are not shared with businesses.
  • OpenAI says ChatGPT reaches 1.2 billion users per week and plans to expand the offering to more markets and industries over time.

Why it matters

Google My Business is Google's free tool for managing how companies appear across Search and Maps. The Decoder says OpenAI's new feature could compete with it by putting business profiles inside a conversational AI interface. The scale OpenAI cites is large: ChatGPT reaches 1.2 billion users per week, by OpenAI's own figure. The agents also tie into advertising, since they can serve as targets for ChatGPT ads.

Who it affects

Businesses that want to be found in ChatGPT are the direct audience. Eligible US e-commerce and online service providers can create Business Agents, and Shopify merchants can connect their store directly. ChatGPT users get a place to ask questions about companies and compare products. Google's business-listing tool is the product the feature could compete with.

How to use it

Companies register and manage their business through the Business Hub. There they update their information, add product feeds with prices and availability, and watch how often they are mentioned in conversations and how many clicks their website gets. Eligible US e-commerce and online service providers can also create a Business Agent to answer customer questions and help with product comparisons. Shopify merchants can connect their store directly. No pricing or fees for the Business Hub, Business Agents or ads are stated.

How solid is it

This is a single report from The Decoder, which describes a beta launch. The 1.2 billion weekly users figure and the plan to expand are attributed to OpenAI. The competition with Google is the outlet's own framing, and it is worded as "could compete". No named OpenAI spokesperson or direct OpenAI quote is given. No Google reaction is reported, and the source does not say how many businesses have signed up.

Risks and caveats

It is a beta, and the Business Agents are limited to eligible US e-commerce and online service providers. OpenAI says user conversations are not shared with businesses. No launch date or timescale for expansion is given beyond "over time", and the source does not say which additional markets or industries are planned. It does not say which model powers Business Agents. Whether the feature really rivals Google's tool is not established by the source.