In a recent development that has sparked excitement in the ecommerce world, diligent code enthusiasts have uncovered Shopify variable names within ChatGPT’s JavaScript code. This discovery has led to speculation that a potential AI integration between the two platforms might be on the horizon.
The revelation of the Shopify-related code took place on April 20, 2025, with initial reports surfacing in an article by Alexey Shabanov on TestingCatalog. Shabanov’s article showcased screenshots of the code snippets and suggested a possible affiliate relationship between OpenAI and Shopify.
It is worth noting that ChatGPT already boasts some ecommerce functionalities within its Operator research agent, such as the ability to facilitate travel bookings and grocery orders.
Uncovering the Shopify reference in ChatGPT’s code is a straightforward process that involves utilizing the inspection tool in a web browser. By following simple steps in browsers like Chrome, users can delve into the code and identify the Shopify mentions.
The emergence of AI-powered shopping experiences has been an anticipated development in light of the widespread adoption of large language models. Consumers who rely on AI tools for various online activities, including research and browsing, are increasingly seeking seamless shopping experiences powered by artificial intelligence.
This potential collaboration with OpenAI is not the first instance of Shopify collaborating with AI technologies. In late 2024, Perplexity introduced its “Buy with Pro” feature, which seamlessly integrates with Shopify to enhance the shopping experience for users.
Moreover, Microsoft recently announced a merchant program for its Copilot AI on April 18, 2025, enabling online retailers to leverage AI capabilities to enhance visibility, attract customers, and drive sales. Google Shopping has also incorporated AI elements into its features and search results since at least 2024.
The rise of AI-driven shopping assistants presents both challenges and opportunities for online merchants. One key consideration for retailers is whether AI shopping experiences will be organically driven or entail paid promotions.
Some AI tools, like Perplexity, have emphasized that they do not charge merchants for featuring Shopify products in their results, offering an organic promotional channel for online businesses. Similarly, Microsoft’s program does not appear to mandate payments from merchants for inclusion.
However, a potential scenario could involve merchants paying to list products in AI shopping assistants or securing premium placements for enhanced visibility. This could entail various payment models, such as monthly subscriptions for direct listings or featured product placements with additional functionalities like add-to-cart links.
As the AI shopping landscape unfolds, another crucial aspect to consider is whether the market will trend towards fragmentation or consolidation. Fragmentation would entail individual AI tools developing their own product discovery mechanisms, requiring merchants to distribute product feeds across multiple platforms. Conversely, strategic partnerships with leading AI providers could concentrate AI shopping experiences on platforms like Shopify, streamlining the process for merchants to disseminate product information across various AI tools.
In essence, the evolving realm of AI-powered shopping experiences holds promise for both consumers seeking seamless interactions and merchants exploring new avenues for product promotion and sales. Stay tuned for further updates on the potential integration between ChatGPT and Shopify as the ecommerce landscape continues to evolve.