Perplexity AI Launches Shopping Feature for U.S. Pro Users

Perplexity AI, known for its popular chatbot, has launched a new Shopping tool for Pro tier U.S. users. The company says the tool is a “one-stop solution” for those looking to research and buy products without leaving the platform.

This new feature is another attempt by Perplexity AI to compete against services like Google and Amazon. The company wants to attract more people to its platform by offering a mix of uses, such as general search and online shopping.

How Does It Work?

Perplexity Shopping allows users to search for items by typing in casual, conversational questions, much like with other AI systems. The results appear quickly, and users can filter the results using follow-up responses such as, “Under $100.”

The tool is designed to offer unbiased recommendations. Unlike some platforms that show paid suggestions, Perplexity claims that its results are based only on reviews within the platform. According to Perplexity, the idea is to keep the shopping advice accurate and “unbiased.”

A short video shared by the company on X (formerly Twitter) shows how users can engage with the shopping AI while refining their search as they go.

Introducing Perplexity Shopping: a one-stop solution where you can research and purchase products. It marks a big leap forward in how we serve our users – empowering seamless native actions right from an answer. Shopping online just got 10x more easy and fun. pic.twitter.com/gjMZO6VIzQ

— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) November 18, 2024

Features of Perplexity Shopping

Feature	Description
One-Click Checkout	Save time by completing purchases inside the app without being sent to the seller’s site.
Buy with Pro	A new paid feature where orders only require saved shipping and billing info. Orders come with free shipping.
Unbiased Suggestions	Shopping advice is not sponsored, keeping results based only on data from in-platform reviews.
Snap to Shop	Visual search for finding products simply by uploading an image.
Follow-Up Queries	Filter results easily, such as narrowing down options by price or other key factors.

How One-Click Checkout Works

Perplexity’s Buy with Pro is all about simplicity. Users can save both their payment and shipping info securely within the platform. After that, it takes just one click to place an order.

The company also announced that any item bought using this feature will come with free shipping. If an item doesn’t qualify, the tool will redirect you to the company’s website to finish the purchase there.

For instance, if you’re looking for a good pair of headphones, you can ask Perplexity AI about “noise-canceling headphones under $100.” From there, it will quickly present items and allow further refining, such as focusing on brands or even shipping options.

Snap to Shop Visual Search

Another standout feature is Snap to Shop. This feature enables users to upload images and find relevant products. This could be especially handy when you see something but don’t know its name.

The visual search tool simplifies the shopping experience by allowing users to upload, search, and buy all from one place. Users searching for similar-looking products will find this especially useful.

Competing with the Giants

While a new player in the shopping world, Perplexity is taking direct aim at larger competitors like Google. The company calls out its new tool as a way to get away from paid suggestions and sponsored content.

Perplexity describes its suggestions as “objective” and shared via easy-to-read cards that include crucial details like price, user ratings, and shipping info. The company adds that these visuals help people quickly decide between products in seconds.

Ads in General AI Results

Alongside this new shopping feature, Perplexity recently revealed changes to its general chatbot. The company plans to insert ads alongside answers in the U.S. These will appear as sponsored questions or paid media next to the user’s original query.

While unrelated to the shopping feature, this change suggests a focus on building out ad-driven income streams.

Expanding Beyond the U.S.

Although the Shopping feature is currently only available to U.S. users of the paid Pro subscription, Perplexity AI said it will soon roll out the feature internationally.

This could allow more users worldwide to make use of convenient features like one-click checkout and Snap to Shop.

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