Business profiles and agents arrive in ChatGPT

Eligible businesses can manage their profiles and view engagement data in ChatGPT. Business Agents are launching first in the United States.

When a business appears in a ChatGPT response, users can open its profile and start a conversation with its Business Agent, if one is available. The chat is labeled as an interaction with an AI agent representing the business and uses the information and instructions the company has provided. It can help customers compare two products in the catalog or clarify a return policy.

This experience is part of Businesses in ChatGPT, which launched in beta on November 10. Companies get an administration space called Business Hub, where they can claim their profiles, provide information, and view engagement data. Business Agents are initially available to eligible ecommerce and online service businesses in the United States. Claiming a profile and verifying an identity

An owner or authorized representative can search for their company in Business Hub. The process verifies their connection to the business through methods such as its website domain, a business email address, or a Shopify store. Identity verification through Persona is then required to publish changes, access insights, or create an eligible agent. The blue check appears after that verification is approved.

Once verified, the business can update its description, website, contact details, and commercial policies. Retailers can also provide a product catalog with current prices and availability. Shopify merchants can connect through their Shopify admin or Business Hub. OpenAI reviews changes before publishing them, and updates can take time to appear in responses.

Eligibility depends on the country, business category, and available verification methods. The Help Center specifies that local stores and restaurants can currently claim only an existing U.S. listing. An agent that speaks for the business

Before publishing a Business Agent, companies can test its responses and adjust the information or instructions it uses. The service’s policy requires agents to clearly identify themselves as representing the business. Prices, terms, and limitations must be presented accurately. For purchases, bookings, or order information, the current experience directs customers to the company’s website.

The agent’s chat opens separately from the user’s original conversation with ChatGPT. OpenAI says ChatGPT’s recommendations and comparisons remain independent, and claiming a profile guarantees no improvement in ranking or sales. Businesses can also promote their agents through ads. These sponsored conversations are being tested with select advertisers in the United States and are labeled as advertising. What the engagement data shows

The dashboard reports aggregate activity over the past 28 days, including mentions and website clicks. For an online business, a mention counts when ChatGPT references its website. For a local business, it counts when ChatGPT displays a result for that location. “Discovery topics” group the themes of responses in which the business appears.

According to OpenAI, businesses receive these aggregate metrics without access to individual conversations, including chats with their Business Agents. Reporting depends on activity thresholds designed to protect privacy. A blank metric can therefore reflect insufficient activity, data still being collected, or unavailable reporting.