Help ChatGPT Discover Your Products: SEO Guide to ChatGPT’s New Search Shopping Recommendations

OpenAI is bringing shopping directly into ChatGPT Search, offering personalized product recommendations based on user queries, and your brand can be part of it.

ChatGPT now offers product recommendations within its search results. When a user’s query shows shopping intent, like “gifts for someone who loves cooking” or “best oval glasses under $180,” ChatGPT may display relevant product options. These recommendations are selected independently and are not paid advertisements.  Here’s what you need to know to get started and boost your brand’s discoverability in AI chatbots.

What’s New in ChatGPT Search?

• ChatGPT now includes product recommendations when users show shopping intent (e.g., “best noise-cancelling headphones under $200”).

• These results are not paid ads or affiliate placements. Categories include fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics.

• The interface shows products from both big brands (e.g., Walmart) and small retailers.

• Other New Features Also Include
  • Improved citations: Multiple sources per answer, with visual highlights for clarity.
  • Trending/autocomplete suggestions in search.
  • WhatsApp integration for sharing results.

How Does It Work?

• Structured data and online reviews power product listings. It prioritizes reviews from sources like WIRED and Reddit.

• ChatGPT understands natural, conversational queries, not just keywords.

• Users can specify preferences (e.g., color, brand) — ChatGPT remembers these preferences and adjusts future recommendations accordingly.

SEO Tips to Make Your Products Discoverable in ChatGPT

Step 1. Allow OAI-SearchBot Access

• ChatGPT uses a crawler called OAI-SearchBot to find web content for product recommendations.

• Make sure your site doesn’t block this bot in your robots.txt file. Learn more about OAI-SearchBot

✅ Pro Tip: Traffic from ChatGPT includes utm_source=chatgpt.com — track this in your analytics!

Step 2. Sign Up for Product Feed Notifications

• OpenAI is developing a product feed submission tool for more accurate listings.

• You can sign up here to be notified when submissions open.

This is an opportunity for e-commerce brands and merchants of all sizes to appear in AI-powered product discovery. By enabling crawler access and staying informed on feed submissions, your brand can tap into this growing channel early!

Matthew Capala

Matthew Capala is a seasoned digital marketing executive, founder/CEO of Alphametic, a Miami-based digital marketing agency, author of “The Psychology of a Website,” dynamic speaker, and entrepreneur.