The company said these changes are already rolling out to users on Plus and Pro plans, including those on the free plan. OpenAI said that in just one week, ChatGPT handled over 1 billion web searches, a clear sign that more people are using AI like a search engine.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT just got a whole lot smarter, and shopping online might never feel the same again. OpenAI has announced a major April update that adds new shopping features, a WhatsApp search option, better trending suggestions, and improved autocomplete.

Visual shopping experience inside ChatGPT

The company stressed that these product results are “chosen independently and are not ads,” clearly trying to set itself apart from traditional ad-driven search platforms like Google. OpenAI said users can type in super-specific questions in natural language and get customized product recommendations across categories like fashion, home goods, electronics, and beauty.

OpenAI is now testing a simpler and faster way for users to find, compare, and buy products directly within ChatGPT. The chatbot will offer product suggestions complete with images, prices, and customer reviews. You can also find direct links to websites where you can complete your purchase.

ChatGPT search comes to WhatsApp

Another big part of the April update is the arrival of ChatGPT search on WhatsApp. Now, users can send a message to 1-800-ChatGPT (+1-800-242-8478) and get real-time answers, live sports scores, or help with queries, all inside WhatsApp.

This is part of OpenAI’s move to make ChatGPT more accessible everywhere people are already chatting. Users across India can simply click this to start a conversation.

Trending searches and smarter autocomplete

The goal here is to help users search faster and discover popular queries without typing the entire question manually. Whether you are asking about IPL scores or looking for the latest phone launch, ChatGPT will now nudge you with smarter hints.

OpenAI is also trying to make typing inside ChatGPT more intuitive. Now, when users begin entering a question, they will see trending search topics pop up, similar to the autocomplete suggestions seen on Google Search.

Better citations for more trust

In a small but important update, ChatGPT has improved how it shows citations. Now, a single answer can include multiple sources, with a new highlight feature showing exactly which part of the text each source supports.

It might sound boring, but for people worried about AI making things up, this is a big step forward. It makes it easier to verify information and trust the answers you get.

A direct shot at Google?

It will be interesting to see if more users turn to ChatGPT for quick product searches, especially when there are fewer ads and more straightforward results.

The shopping improvements, WhatsApp search, trending suggestions, and better citations are rolling out globally starting 29 April 2025 and should reach all users in the coming days.

With these updates, OpenAI is clearly looking to challenge Google’s dominance in the search and online shopping space. Google Search has faced criticism in recent years for being overloaded with ads. In contrast, OpenAI says it wants ChatGPT to feel more natural, fast, and ad-free.

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