OpenAI Launches Beta Features to Help US Businesses Establish Presence and Analytics in ChatGPT

OpenAI has rolled out a new set of features aimed at developing ChatGPT into a business discovery engine, allowing companies in the US to create a distinct persona on the conversational AI platform.

The AI firm is introducing 'Businesses in ChatGPT' in its beta version within the United States. Through this feature, businesses can claim their organization, manage their information, and track insights regarding how users engage with them on ChatGPT.

Alongside business profiles, OpenAI is introducing a new layer of engagement via Business Agents, starting with eligible e-commerce and online service businesses in the US. Once verified, organizations can update key business details, add self-service elements with pricing and availability, and build, test, and launch a Business Agent to answer customer queries and help users explore offerings.

OpenAI stated that Business Agent conversations are clearly labeled, kept separate from the customer's original ChatGPT conversation, and distinct from ChatGPT's independent answers.

Existing OpenAI Enterprise customers and advertisers can work directly with their OpenAI representative to claim their business. Meanwhile, Shopify merchants can connect their stores directly from the Business Hub or Shopify admin to streamline verification. Eligible products from Shopify merchants are also integrated into ChatGPT through the Shopify Catalog.

The rollout also includes an analytics layer through the Business Hub, which provides aggregated insights on user engagement, such as the number of mentions and website clicks a business receives.

Digital marketing experts observing the launch note that while the features are currently restricted to the US, the move aligns with the AI platform's ambitions to evolve into a business discovery platform. Analysts suggest this development could impact traditional search engine optimization (SEO) and metrics, requiring businesses to track engagement directly on conversational AI platforms.

Addressing data privacy concerns, OpenAI stated that user conversations and Business Agent chats are not shared with businesses. Insights remain aggregated and are only released when interaction volumes meet specific privacy thresholds.

"OpenAI's rollout of business profiles and Business Agents marks a practical step toward integrating conversational AI directly into commercial discovery and customer service. For businesses, especially in e-commerce, this creates a new channel for engagement and analytics that will require active management alongside traditional digital marketing and SEO strategies. As these tools expand beyond the US beta phase, companies will need to adapt their operational presence to meet users directly within AI platforms." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes