News in short

• Businesses in ChatGPT is a new OpenAI programme that lets companies claim profiles and manage how they appear in ChatGPT.
• Business Hub allows companies to update details, add product feeds and track mentions and website clicks.
• Business Agents can answer product questions, compare options and recommend products using information supplied by businesses.
• Business Hub profile claiming has a wider rollout, while Business Agents are initially limited to eligible US e-commerce and online service businesses.

OpenAI has introduced Businesses in ChatGPT, a new programme that gives companies more control over how they appear in ChatGPT. It includes Business Hub, where companies can claim and manage their profiles. OpenAI is also testing Business Agents, which can answer customer questions about products and services.

The move gives businesses a way to manage information that ChatGPT may use when people search for products or services. It also creates a new route for customers to explore options and interact with companies inside the chatbot.

What is Businesses in ChatGPT?

Businesses in ChatGPT is OpenAI’s new set of tools for companies on its platform. Its central feature, Business Hub, lets businesses claim their profiles after verification and update their information. Companies can also add product feeds with current prices and availability. This can help ChatGPT provide more up-to-date product details when users ask shopping-related questions.

Business Hub also includes analytics about how a company appears in ChatGPT. Businesses can track how often ChatGPT mentions them, how many users click through to their websites and which topics appear when their websites are cited. OpenAI says these insights are aggregated. It will only display them when activity meets its reporting thresholds.

What are ChatGPT Business Agents and how do they work?

Business Agents are AI-powered assistants that companies can create for their profiles. Customers can ask these agents about products and services, compare available options and receive recommendations. The agents use information provided by the business to answer questions.

These conversations will carry a Business Agent label and remain separate from regular ChatGPT responses. OpenAI says businesses will not be able to read users’ conversations with ChatGPT or their chats with Business Agents. Companies can also sponsor their agents and connect them to ChatGPT Ads. Sponsored placements will carry labels to distinguish them from ordinary chatbot responses.

Who can use Businesses in ChatGPT?

OpenAI says businesses in countries where ChatGPT is available can claim profiles, subject to eligibility and verification requirements. OpenAI Enterprise customers and advertisers can access the process through their OpenAI representatives. Shopify merchants can connect their stores through Business Hub or the Shopify admin panel.

Business Agents have a more limited beta rollout. Access is currently restricted to eligible e-commerce and online service businesses in the US. OpenAI has not announced when Business Agents will reach India or other markets. The wider profile-claiming option and the agent rollout should therefore be treated as separate launches.

Why this matters for businesses and online shoppers

Businesses in ChatGPT could make product discovery more conversational. Instead of browsing several pages, shoppers may be able to ask questions, compare products and get answers from a company’s agent. For companies, Business Hub offers a way to keep profile and product information current while understanding how ChatGPT refers traffic to their websites.

However, the feature also raises questions around recommendations, sponsored placements and the accuracy of product information. Businesses will need to keep their feeds updated, while shoppers should distinguish sponsored agent placements from regular responses. For more on OpenAI’s agent strategy, read our explainer on what OpenAI Dot is and how its AI agent works. Read the official OpenAI announcement on Businesses in ChatGPT for further details.