• OpenAI has launched new shopping features in ChatGPT for personalized recommendations.
• The update excludes advertisements and focuses on an independent shopping experience.
• Users can conduct over 1 billion web searches weekly via ChatGPT, reflecting its popularity.
• ChatGPT competes directly with Google by providing tailored product options and purchase links.
• The feature initially covers categories like fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics.

OpenAI has unveiled significant updates to ChatGPT, adding shopping capabilities aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience for users. This new feature allows users to obtain personalized product recommendations with reviews, images, and direct purchase links based on specific questions they ask. The update is part of OpenAI's strategy to compete with Google's search engine dominance, particularly in the e-commerce space, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The shopping feature leverages natural language processing to provide tailored recommendations, allowing users to ask detailed questions about products such as “Best headphones under $100.” Users receive results sourced from various platforms, ensuring that product selections are independent and not influenced by advertisements. OpenAI's commitment to a user-centric experience is evident as they aim to facilitate quicker and more efficient shopping, according to BBC and India Times.

With over 1 billion web searches conducted just last week, ChatGPT's ability to adapt and provide relevant product search results highlights its growing popularity among users. OpenAI envisions its chatbot as a direct competitor to Google, as it translates search queries into product suggestions through conversational interactions. This competitive landscape may further escalate as Google integrates its own AI functions in response, as noted by South China Morning Post.