OpenAI has introduced the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open standard that allows buyers, their AI agents, and businesses to complete purchases directly inside ChatGPT. ACP makes it possible for conversations with ChatGPT to move seamlessly from product discovery to checkout, while keeping customers informed in real time.
At its core, ACP connects merchants, payment processors, and platforms, creating a unified system where buyers can find products, pay securely, and receive fulfillment updates—all without leaving the chat.
What Was Announced?
OpenAI is rolling out Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, powered by ACP. The first integrations are launching with Etsy and Shopify, using Stripe as the payment processor.
Key points from the announcement:
- US ChatGPT users can now buy products from Etsy sellers directly in ChatGPT.
- Over 1 million Shopify merchants will be added soon.
- ACP is being open-sourced, so more developers and merchants can adopt it.
How Does It Work?
Here’s how the Instant Checkout experience looks:
- A user asks ChatGPT for a product recommendation (e.g., “best backpack under $100”).
- ChatGPT recommends products based on trusted sellers and listings.
- The buyer can purchase instantly, without leaving the chat.
- Payments are processed securely via Stripe, and merchants handle fulfillment (for example, with FBA or WFS).
For merchants, ACP provides:
- Direct customer relationships (payment goes straight to the merchant).
- Flexibility to use existing order and payment systems.
- A path to offer millions of SKUs inside ChatGPT.
Why Does It Matter for E-Commerce?
This is a big step toward conversational commerce. Until now, ChatGPT could recommend products, but the buyer had to leave and complete the purchase elsewhere. With ACP, the whole process—search, recommendation, checkout—happens in one place.
For e-commerce sellers, this means:
- A new channel to reach buyers.
- Instant visibility inside AI-powered product discovery.
- Faster conversions with fewer steps between discovery and purchase.
The launch of ACP and Instant Checkout marks the beginning of a new era in e-commerce: shopping directly inside conversations. For sellers, it opens a powerful new distribution channel. For buyers, it makes shopping easier, faster, and more secure.
As ACP expands beyond Etsy and Shopify, we can expect to see millions of products—from small brands to major retailers—available for instant purchase within ChatGPT.
