Black Friday is almost here, and Perplexity has rolled out an AI shopping experience to help users find the right products and purchase them instantly.
Perplexity is touting the experience as one that “puts you first.” Instead of promoting products that bring more affiliate money, the platform will recommend items that fit each shopper’s needs, based on past chats and their preferences.
Sharing an example, Perplexity says that the search for the best winter jacket for a person living in San Francisco and commuting to work on a ferry will produce results tailored to that specific use case. Follow-up queries for an add-on, like boots, will also keep the user’s situation in mind.
In another example, the AI startup says that a search for desk lamps will bring up results to match the user’s design aesthetic learned from previous conversations. If someone prefers a mid-century look, they might find matching products without having to specify their tastes.
In the results page, the product cards carry an image with pricing, delivery, and website details. You also get curated reviews and recommendations, along with an “Instant Buy” button to help check out quickly. The button was built in partnership with PayPal and is expected to eventually support over 5,000 merchants.
(Credit: Perplexity)
PayPal also has a similar payment partnership with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which added its own shopping assistant earlier this week. To start AI-assisted shopping on ChatGPT, you need to select the shopping option from the chat menu or type “/shopping” in the prompt.
On Perplexity, though, you can start by mentioning your intent to purchase a product.
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This isn’t Perplexity’s first shot at AI-assisted shopping. Last year, the platform rolled out a “Buy with Pro” button that allows Pro subscribers to complete purchases from supported merchants instantly. If the merchant isn’t onboard, the link redirects to their official website.
As for the shopping experience released this week, it’s completely free for all users in the US on web and desktop. Support for Android and iOS apps will be launching in the coming weeks, Perplexity says.
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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.
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