ChatGPT is growing up, and it’s not just about talking anymore. OpenAI just announced a new way for users in the U.S. to buy things directly. They call this feature “Instant Checkout.”
You can now shop on Etsy and Shopify without ever leaving your chat. This means less clicking around to different websites. If you pay for a ChatGPT membership (Plus or Pro), you can use a card already linked to your account. This makes buying things really quick and easy. Free users can also use this handy tool.
This new shopping method uses Stripe’s Agentic Commerce Protocol. For now, it only handles buying one item at a time. But OpenAI plans to add a shopping cart for multiple items soon. They also want to bring Instant Checkout to more stores and countries later on.
How Instant Checkout Works
OpenAI will charge a small fee to businesses when a sale happens through Instant Checkout. They promised that products offering this feature won’t get special treatment in search results. Instead, things like product availability, price, and quality will decide what you see first. This helps make sure users get the best shopping experience.
Beyond shopping, OpenAI is also adding important safety features. They are bringing “Parental Controls” to ChatGPT. Parents can link their accounts to their children’s accounts. This lets them change settings. For example, parents can set time limits for use. They can also turn off voice mode, memory features, or even image creation.
OpenAI is also working on a new system to spot signs of self-harm in teenagers. If ChatGPT sees these worrying signals, a team will review the situation. If the risk is high, parents will be contacted right away. This is a big step to keep younger users safe.