Local Memo: ChatGPT Adds Shopping, Yelp’s AI Call Feature, Bots Create Fake Engagement

ChatGPT Adds Direct Shopping Integration

The News OpenAI has launched an augmented shopping feature within ChatGPT, allowing users to easily purchase products directly through the platform. The new integration displays product information, reviews, and direct links to complete a transaction. Categories include fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics. The feature became available to all ChatGPT users (Plus, Pro, and Free) as of Monday, April 28.

ChatGPT’s shopping results come from structured metadata provided by third-party retailer websites, according to TechCrunch. Currently, no ad dollars are changing hands, though OpenAI CEO Sam Altman indicated a potential affiliate program in the future.

The recent rumors about ChatGPT integrating with Shopify make sense, given this update. OpenAI has confirmed plans to allow merchants to directly feed product listings directly into ChatGPT, with partnerships in place with major retailers.

What This Means ChatGPT excels at providing personalized recommendations. Testing this new feature during a conversation about home composting demonstrated ChatGPT’s capability to suggest relevant products effectively.

Given how frustrating the online shopping landscape can be, plagued by inflated marketing claims and fake reviews, ChatGPT’s ability to simplify product discovery could significantly boost its adoption, presenting competition to Google and even Amazon. Marketers should ensure ChatGPT can easily crawl their websites to appear in its shopping results.

Yelp to Launch AI-Powered Call Answering

The News: Yelp announced it will soon test an AI feature enabling businesses to handle phone calls automatically. Integrated directly into Yelp, the AI will answer calls, book appointments, respond to project requests, and handle customer inquiries.

A demo video showcased a customer calling an auto mechanic about an oil leak. The AI asked clarifying questions, categorized the issue as urgent, and collected contact details for follow-up.

Yelp says that businesses can modify how the service works with simple configuration options. The company says it is using “the latest voice AI tech,” without mentioning a provider.

Yelp states businesses can easily configure this feature. While the company mentioned using advanced voice AI technology, it hasn’t disclosed its AI provider.

What It Means The AI call feature will soon be tested by local restaurants and service providers. It’s still unclear if businesses will need Yelp Ads to use the service, as has been common for advanced Yelp features.

How Much Social Engagement Comes from Bots?

The News Eric Schwartzman’s report for Fast Company reveals extensive bot farm activity driving viral engagement on social media. These farms, operated primarily by foreign entities from China, Russia, Iran, and others, involve hundreds of thousands of smartphones controlled centrally to mimic human interactions like liking, sharing, and commenting.

Despite platforms like Meta actively combating “coordinated inauthentic behavior,” these advanced bot farms often escape detection due to their sophisticated methods, enhanced by AI technology.

Political discourse and financial markets are frequent bot farm targets, alongside manipulation of brand and celebrity reputations. Schwartzman cited instances of bots spreading negative stories, such as against actress Blake Lively following harassment allegations against director Justin Baldoni.

What This Means: Consumers should be aware of the ease with which social media engagement can be artificially manipulated. Brands must also proactively safeguard their reputations from potential bot-driven campaigns.