Shopify Enables Checkout Inside AI Assistants Like ChatGPT: What Merchants Need to Know in 2026

As of January 2026, Shopify has begun rolling out checkout directly inside AI assistants like ChatGPT, allowing consumers to discover products, ask questions, and complete purchases without leaving the AI interface.

This launch marks a meaningful shift in how ecommerce discovery and transactions work. Instead of moving from search to website to checkout, users can now complete the entire journey inside an AI conversation. Shopify positions this as a foundational step toward AI-native commerce at scale, as outlined in its official announcement.

This article breaks down what is launching this month, how it works, what it costs merchants, and what brands should consider next.

AI Checkout Comes to Shopify: What Is Launching

Shopify has confirmed that AI-driven checkout is now available to merchants through supported AI assistants, including ChatGPT. This capability allows AI tools to surface Shopify product listings and complete purchases directly within their interfaces.

According to Shopify, the goal is to support commerce wherever consumers already spend time, including conversational AI environments. Instead of redirecting users to a merchant website, the AI assistant can guide product discovery and facilitate checkout using Shopify’s existing commerce infrastructure.

How AI Checkout Works for Shoppers

From a consumer perspective, the experience is designed to feel simple and conversational:

• A shopper asks an AI assistant for a product recommendation
• The assistant presents eligible Shopify products
• The shopper asks follow-up questions about price, availability, or features
• Checkout is completed directly within the AI interface

Shopify remains the backend commerce engine throughout the transaction. Orders, payments, and fulfillment flow through the merchant’s existing Shopify admin, ensuring continuity with current operations.

This approach removes friction from traditional ecommerce funnels and shortens the path from intent to purchase.

Availability and Rollout Timeline

As of January 2026, Shopify has begun a broad rollout of AI checkout capabilities to eligible merchants. The feature is not automatically enabled for all stores.

Key availability details include:

• Rollout began January 11, 2026
• Merchants must opt in to sell through AI assistants that charge additional fees
• Product eligibility depends on merchant settings and platform participation

This phased rollout allows merchants to control where and how their products are sold through AI channels.

Merchant Fees and Cost Structure

One of the most important considerations for merchants is cost.

According to reporting from PYMNTS, sales completed through ChatGPT checkout carry a 4% transaction fee, in addition to standard Shopify payment processing fees.

Key fee details:

• 4 percent fee applies only to sales completed inside ChatGPT
• Standard Shopify payment processing fees still apply
• Fees are charged per transaction, not per listing

Not all AI platforms follow the same model. Shopify has indicated that platforms without additional fees, such as Google’s AI experiences, may surface products by default, while platforms with added costs require explicit merchant opt-in.

This gives merchants flexibility to test AI channels while managing margin impact.

Opt-In Requirements for Shopify Merchants

Merchants must take specific steps to enable AI checkout:

• Explicitly opt in to AI platforms that charge additional fees
• Agree to platform-specific commerce terms
• Use Shopify’s supported payment infrastructure

If a merchant does not opt in, their products may still appear in AI-generated answers, but checkout will redirect users to the merchant’s website instead of completing inside the AI interface.

This opt-in structure is intended to give merchants control and transparency as AI commerce evolves.

Why This Matters for Ecommerce Brands

AI checkout represents more than a new sales channel. It signals a shift in how discovery, consideration, and conversion are merging.

Key implications include:

• Reduced friction between product discovery and purchase
• Increased importance of structured product data
• New competition for traditional marketplaces and paid media
• Greater pressure on margins due to added platform fees

For brands with strong margins and differentiated products, AI checkout may unlock incremental revenue. For others, it may serve primarily as a discovery channel rather than a conversion driver.

Strategic Considerations Before Enabling AI Checkout

Before opting in, merchants should evaluate:

• Average order value and gross margin
• Performance impact of a 4 percent incremental fee
• Readiness of product data and inventory accuracy
• The role of AI discovery in their broader growth strategy

Testing AI checkout on a subset of products can help merchants measure performance without over-committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify AI checkout live as of January 2026?

Yes. Shopify has confirmed that rollout begins January 2026, with availability expanding to eligible merchants who opt in.

Do all Shopify merchants have to enable ChatGPT checkout?

No. Participation is optional. Merchants must explicitly opt in to platforms that charge additional fees.

How much does ChatGPT checkout cost merchants?

ChatGPT applies a 4 percent fee per transaction, in addition to standard Shopify payment processing fees.

Does Shopify still handle payments and fulfillment?

Yes. Shopify remains the commerce backend, handling payments, orders, and fulfillment through the merchant’s existing setup.

Are there AI platforms without additional fees?

Yes. Shopify has indicated that some AI platforms, such as Google’s AI experiences, do not currently charge an extra transaction fee.

Will AI checkout replace merchant websites?

No. AI checkout is an additional channel. Merchant websites remain essential for brand building, merchandising, and owned customer relationships.

Final Thoughts

AI-native commerce is no longer theoretical. With checkout now embedded directly inside AI assistants, Shopify is positioning merchants to meet customers wherever intent originates. For brands that prepare thoughtfully, this shift presents both opportunity and competitive advantage.

Preparing Your Shopify Brand for AI Commerce

AI-driven checkout is not just another channel. It changes how customers discover products, evaluate options, and convert. For DTC and ecommerce brands, this means product data, margin strategy, and channel mix matter more than ever.

At Webtopia, we help Shopify brands adapt to emerging commerce shifts like AI checkout without sacrificing profitability. From evaluating whether AI checkout makes sense for your margin structure to optimizing product feeds, paid media, and creator strategies that support AI-driven discovery, we focus on growth that scales responsibly.

Ready to prepare your Shopify store for AI-powered commerce? Book a call with our team today.

We’ll review your current setup, assess how AI checkout may impact your performance, and outline a clear strategy tailored to your brand’s goals.

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Author: Julieta Cabrera