ChatGPT is expanding its capabilities in the e-commerce sector through new integrations with Etsy and Shopify, enabling users in the United States to make direct purchases within the chat interface. This new "Instant Checkout" feature is available to all ChatGPT users, including those with free, Plus, and Pro subscriptions.
The integration allows users to shop from Etsy sellers directly within ChatGPT, eliminating the need to leave the conversation to complete a purchase. In the coming weeks, this functionality will extend to over one million Shopify vendors, including major brands like Glossier, SKIMS, Spanx, and Vuori. Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke emphasized that this integration bridges conversational AI and e-commerce, allowing Shopify merchants to sell directly within ChatGPT. Vanessa Lee, vice-president of product at Shopify, stated that this integration will allow merchants to show up naturally in AI conversations and give shoppers a way to buy without breaking their flow.
The "Instant Checkout" feature supports single-product purchases initially, with plans to expand to multi-item shopping and extend access to more regions and retailers worldwide. Customers will not incur any additional fees. Instead, sellers will pay OpenAI a commission on completed sales, creating a new revenue stream for the company that supplements its subscription-based model.
This new e-commerce experience is powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open standard co-developed by Stripe and OpenAI. The ACP enables AI agents to securely facilitate transactions, while allowing businesses to retain control over purchases and customer interactions. Stripe emphasized the importance of security in AI-driven commerce, ensuring customers can securely buy where they discover products, and businesses can sell through new channels without sacrificing trust, brand, or control. Will Gaybrick, Stripe's president of technology and business, said that Stripe is building the economic infrastructure for AI.
The ACP supports various transaction types, including physical and digital goods, subscriptions, multi-merchant carts, and in-store pickup. Businesses can implement the ACP once and connect to any compatible AI agent. With Instant Checkout, users can browse, select, and pay for items without leaving the chat interface, reducing friction between product discovery and purchase. Every step of the purchase requires user confirmation. Payment tokens are encrypted and authorized for specific amounts to specific merchants and cannot be reused. Only the data needed to complete the transaction is shared.
Etsy's chief product and technology officer, Rafe Colburn, said that the partnership was appealing because tools like ChatGPT are increasingly used for everyday tasks, and it's their job to remove barriers for shoppers so they can easily discover and be delighted by their sellers' special items.
The integration reflects a growing trend of AI-powered commerce, where conversational agents not only answer questions but also actively facilitate transactions and assist in decision-making. The rollout to Shopify merchants indicates a broader push to integrate conversational AI with mainstream e-commerce. By combining AI assistance with secure checkout, ChatGPT and its partners aim to enhance convenience, build trust, and expand sales opportunities for businesses while maintaining customer privacy.
The announcement had an immediate impact on the market, with Etsy shares rising 7.3 percent and Shopify stock gaining 4.5 percent in U.S. trading. OpenAI has also open-sourced its Smart Commerce Protocol, developed with Stripe, to make its commercial framework more transparent and adaptable.
