The shift is already here, and it changes the rules
Is your ecommerce site missing from ChatGPT results? Chances are you haven’t prepared for what’s happening around the world right now. In April 2025, OpenAI launched a major feature that lets users search for products directly in ChatGPT, and it isn’t limited to paid subscribers.
How does it work in practice? Instead of typing “wireless earbuds” into Google and clicking through dozens of sites, users just tell the chat: “I’m looking for wireless running earbuds under 150 shekels.” Within seconds they get product images, current prices, real reviews and a direct link to buy.
It’s like having a personal sales advisor who is available 24/7, knows every product on the market and doesn’t try to push something you don’t need.
Why does your business need to be there now?
The data speaks for itself: shoppers already prefer asking ChatGPT “what’s the best thing to buy?” over wasting time on endless Google searches. The question is: will your products show up when they look for answers?
The complete guide: 3 critical steps to success
Step 1: Open the door to OpenAI’s bot
The first and most important step is making sure your site doesn’t block OAI-SearchBot. It sounds technical, but it’s simpler than you think.
What to do:
- Open your site’s robots.txt file (your site URL + /robots.txt)
- Check that there’s no line that says: Disallow: OAI-SearchBot
- If there is, delete it right away
Without this step, ChatGPT simply can’t find your products. It’s like running a store with the door locked.
Step 2: Set up accurate tracking for ChatGPT traffic
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. To know exactly how much traffic you get from ChatGPT and how it converts, you need to set up dedicated tracking.
How to set it up:
- Log in to your site’s Google Analytics
- Create a new filter for utm_source=chatgpt.com
To show you how, we made a video that walks you through the process step by step. How to build an AI engine traffic report in Google Analytics 4
Step 3: Sign up for OpenAI’s “Product Discovery” program
This is the step that decides who leads and who falls behind. OpenAI built a program that lets businesses submit their product catalog directly to the platform.
Why it matters: Instead of relying on the bot to stumble on your products, you get control over how they’re displayed, which details are highlighted and how they’re positioned against competitors.
they’re displayed, which details are highlighted and how they’re positioned against competitors.
How to sign up:
- Go to the OpenAI Product Discovery site: https://chatgpt.com/merchants/
- Fill in your business details
- You’ll be notified as soon as the program is available in your region
The technology behind the scenes
To succeed, you need to understand how ChatGPT picks products. It isn’t random. A sophisticated system analyzes:
- Search intent: what the user is really looking for
- Structured data: technical product information that’s easy for the bot to read
- Third-party information: reviews, prices, availability
- Relevance: how closely the product matches the request
Advanced tips that set you apart
Product description optimization
Write descriptions that answer natural questions:
- “Who is this product for?”
- “How does it solve a specific problem?”
- “What are its advantages over alternatives?”
Using structured data
Add Schema markup that helps the bot understand exactly what the product is, what it costs and whether it’s available.
Building trust
Real reviews, quality images and accurate information will push your products to the top of the results.
Why the time is now
The winners in AI commerce will be the ones who think like machines, act like publishers and operate like retailers. Businesses that understand this early will be there when the audience arrives.
At DigiAssets, we’re already working with clients to adapt to this new era. Sites that prepare now will gain a significant edge over competitors who show up later.
Want to know where you stand?
Run an ecommerce site and not sure it’s optimized for AI engines? We’d be glad to give you a professional review and focused recommendations.
This guide is part of the tools and training we provide to our clients at DigiAssets. Want to take this strategy a step further? Let’s talk.
