ChatGPT Adds Business Profiles, Aiming to Be the New Google for Product Discovery

ChatGPT has added a Business Hub that lets companies build verified profiles and launch AI agents, turning the chatbot into a product‑search engine that looks like Google. The hub, still in beta, lets firms upload product details, update services, and create a “business agent” that answers user questions.

It also gives owners limited analytics—profile views, mentions, and website clicks—so they can see how people interact with their offerings. OpenAI says verification will use “multiple methods” tailored to each business and market, but the company has not yet disclosed the exact steps. The process is meant to build trust, ensuring that the information users see is accurate.

This move follows a failed attempt to turn ChatGPT into an e‑commerce hub that charged commissions and offered a checkout cart. By focusing on discovery rather than direct sales, OpenAI is positioning itself as a partner to businesses, much like Google’s search and analytics services. Will the new hub attract enough companies and users to make ChatGPT a serious competitor in online discovery?

The answer will hinge on how quickly businesses adopt the profiles and how effectively the analytics help them convert interest into sales.