OpenAI has been pushing ChatGPT as the best option for AI-assisted shopping since it debuted, but a new update might help it earn that crown.
When you ask ChatGPT for help finding things to buy, the AI will now offer a more visual experience, closer to scrolling a curated storefront than reading a research report.
There are now better displays of the products, along with improved comparisons between them, and a sort of guided exploration feel. I decided to see how it did when treated like the collaborative personal shopper OpenAI seems to want people to imagine. Here are the five prompts I used that you might find helpful to use yourself.
1. The “help me upgrade” prompt
I started with something practical, the kind of purchase that tends to spiral into too many tabs:
"I want to upgrade my everyday backpack for when I'm on the go. Something that looks professional but doesn’t feel bulky.”
I gave the request just enough detail to steer the results away from generic lists, and ChatGPT surprised me with a pretty good collection of visually distinct options that didn't feel like just the first few links in a Google search. Each suggestion came with an image, a short description, and a quick explanation of what made it stand out.
The key detail was that the images anchored the descriptions. I did not have to imagine what “sleek urban styling” meant because it was right there. Breaking them down into very evocative terms like "what you get if you want your backpack to feel closer to a tailored jacket than a gym bag" also helped cement the idea behind each bag.
2. The “plan a themed gift” prompt
Next, I leaned into something more personal. I made a request that often produces reliable options, but where a visual upgrade could change how those ideas land.
“I need a birthday gift for someone who loves cooking and cozy nights. Show me a few thoughtful ideas.”
The suggestions fit the brief, with a cast iron skillet, soft throw blanket, and artisanal spice blends all arranged with an accompanying image. It was almost a thematic party prop playlist.
The descriptions, though obviously paraphrasing marketing language, did angle for the non-generic aspect at least. The blanket was described as “something you reach for without thinking on a quiet evening.”
3. The “compare before I regret it” prompt
I wanted to give ChatGPT something of a shopping dilemma next. I went for a classic example, including setting up the situation.
“I’m choosing between a Sony and a Bose set of wireless headphones for travel. Show me a side-by-side comparison and help me decide.”
This is where shopping tools often collapse into spreadsheets, so I was curious how the visual layer would handle it.
ChatGPT avoided that trap. Each set of headphones had an image and a concise summary, followed by a comparison that highlighted everything from comfort and battery life to foldability and controls. The visuals made it easier to remember which was which, which sounds trivial until you have tried to keep track of multiple similar products in text alone.
It didn't simply tell me which to pick, but it did point to the Sony as the more popular choice in general. Overall, it did well translating the information into a straightforward decision for me to make.
4. The “build me a setup” prompt
For a more ambitious request, I went for a combination request to ChatGPT:
“Help me build a simple home coffee setup. I want it to look nice but not complicated. Show me what I need.”
The response came back as a small ecosystem of suggestions from a coffee maker and grinder to a set of matching mugs. It was a bit of a catalog spread, but most of the choices did complement each other visually.
Calling the coffee maker “simple enough to use half awake” suggested the AI had taken my request for simplicity to heart.
5. The “find something I didn’t know I wanted” prompt
My last prompt leaned into the discovery aspect, but I kept the casual language, asking the AI to “Show me a few interesting gadgets under fifty dollars that I probably wouldn’t think to search for.”
ChatGPT gave me a shelf of small surprises, including a compact desk light with adjustable color temperature, a cable organizer, and a tiny handheld vacuum for desks and keyboards. I was particularly intrigued by the "Gadget Pen," which ChatGPT called "delightfully unnecessary in the best way."
The images did most of the work here, turning what could have been forgettable items into things worth considering. Each item was introduced with a sense of practical curiosity, explaining why it might earn a place in daily life.
The upgrade to ChatGPT's shopping abilities is subtle, but the shift toward a more visual exploratory approach does help make it feel smoother, even if the text is where the context lies. I wouldn't toss out just browsing, but the new conversational shopping experience is definitely something plenty of people will want to put in their cart.
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