In a major update that could redefine how we interact with AI, OpenAI has rolled out powerful new features to ChatGPT’s search tool — including integrated shopping, WhatsApp-based search, and improved source citations. These enhancements not only boost usability but also signal OpenAI’s bold push into domains long dominated by Google and Amazon.

Let’s dive into everything new and what it means for users, businesses, and the future of AI-powered search.

 

🛍️ New Shopping Features Now Live in ChatGPT

The most exciting addition to ChatGPT’s toolkit is its shopping feature. You can now discover, compare, and even purchase products directly through ChatGPT — all within your ongoing chat conversation.

What sets it apart?

• • No Ads, Just AI: Unlike traditional search engines, ChatGPT’s product results aren’t ad-driven. They are organically generated using OpenAI’s search intelligence.

• • Personalized Suggestions: ChatGPT uses your current chat, previous interactions, uploaded photos, preferred price ranges, and past purchases to tailor recommendations.

• • Real-Time Browsing: You can ask for deals on laptops, compare smartphones, or find the best gifts — and get contextual answers in seconds.

These features are now available to everyone — Free, Plus, Pro, and even non-logged-in users — across platforms where ChatGPT is offered.

📲 ChatGPT Search Now Available via WhatsApp

In a move that makes real-time AI assistance more accessible than ever, ChatGPT can now be used directly through WhatsApp. By texting +1-800-242-8478 (1-800-ChatGPT), users can:

• • Ask questions on the go

• • Get real-time search answers

• • Stay updated without needing a browser

This is a game-changer for mobile users, particularly in regions where mobile data or internet access is limited.

🧠 Memory Meets Search — Coming Soon

Another breakthrough on the horizon: ChatGPT’s memory feature is being integrated into search and shopping.

How does it help?

• • ChatGPT will remember your preferences, past purchases, and prior questions.

• • It will offer better recommendations over time, much like a personal shopping assistant.

• • You stay in control — memory can be cleared or customized at any time.

Rollout Details:

• • Launching over the next few weeks

• • Available for Plus and Pro users

• • Excludes European Union and UK (due to data privacy regulations)

🔍 Enhanced Citations & Source Transparency

Transparency and trust have long been hot topics in AI. ChatGPT now takes a major step forward with improved citation tools:

• • Multiple Verified Sources: Answers now come with references from various sites, so you can cross-check and validate information.

• • Highlighted Content: New UI lets users see exactly which parts of the response come from which source.

• • Trending Topics & Autocomplete: Like traditional search engines, ChatGPT offers type-ahead suggestions and showcases hot topics.

These upgrades ensure users don’t just get answers — they get trustworthy, trackable information.

🌐 Under the Hood: How ChatGPT Search Works

Behind the scenes, ChatGPT’s search engine is powered by a hybrid of OpenAI’s own AI infrastructure and Bing’s index. Here’s how it all connects:

• • OAI-SearchBot: Crawls websites for general search data

• • ChatGPT-User: Fetches real-time answers in chats

• • GPTBot: Collects data for AI training purposes

📣 Website Owners: Want to Get Indexed?

If you’re a business, blog, or e-commerce platform looking to appear in ChatGPT results, update your robots.txt file to allow OAI-SearchBot. This gives your content visibility across millions of daily ChatGPT searches.

📈 Why It Matters: A Challenge to Google & Amazon?

With over 1 billion web searches performed through ChatGPT in just one week, OpenAI is clearly no longer just a chatbot.

It’s:

• • A virtual shopping mall

• • A search engine

• • A personalized assistant

• • A mobile helpdesk via WhatsApp

And with OpenAI hinting at partnerships with merchants soon, ChatGPT may soon rival the ecosystems of Google Search + Google Shopping or Amazon’s marketplace.

🗣️ Quote from OpenAI’s Adam Fry, ChatGPT Search Product Lead:

“Search has become one of our most popular & fastest-growing features, with over 1 billion web searches just in the past week. We’ll continue to iterate and improve as we learn from real-world use.”

🎯 Final Thoughts

From personalized product recommendations and mobile-based search to verifiable citations and memory integration — ChatGPT is evolving from a conversation tool to an intelligent, interactive portal to the internet.

This update marks the beginning of a new era in AI-assisted digital life — one that is fast, reliable, conversational, and deeply personalized.

Are you ready to shop, search, and learn smarter?

—

🔥 Bonus Tip for Businesses

If you’re a brand, retailer, or local business — now is the time to optimize your content for AI search. Fuerte Developers can help you:

• • Get your products visible in AI shopping results

• • Improve your site’s AI-readability

• • Build better AI-driven customer experiences