Perplexity AI Enhances Shopping Experience with Instant Purchase and Visual Search Features

Perplexity AI has recently introduced an innovative shopping experience with the addition of new features tailored for its paid subscribers. On Monday, this advanced AI search engine unveiled two distinct functionalities: Buy with Pro and Snap to Shop. These enhancements are designed to facilitate seamless shopping directly within the platform. The Buy with Pro feature empowers users to make purchases immediately after requesting product suggestions, while Snap to Shop enables them to take a photograph of an item and use the AI to find matching products.

In a detailed announcement, the AI company elaborated on these two retail-centered features, currently accessible to Perplexity Pro users located in the United States. The Buy with Pro feature allows users to inquire about a specific item or seek recommendations based on a particular context. Upon receiving the results, users are presented with a selected assortment of products available for purchase with just a click.

Prior to using the Buy with Pro feature, users are required to input their shipping and billing details on the Perplexity platform. After completing this prerequisite, they can easily select the Buy with Pro option next to the desired items to finalize the purchase without navigating away from the app. Additionally, the company is providing complimentary shipping on all transactions conducted within its platform. If the Buy with Pro option is not available for a specific product, the system will redirect the user to the merchant’s website for further purchasing options.

Alongside the Buy with Pro feature, Perplexity has rolled out the Snap to Shop functionality. Similar in the realm of Google Lens, this feature empowers users to aim their smartphone cameras at products and run searches to find exact matches or alternatives. These findings can then be acquired via the Buy with Pro feature. This function is particularly helpful for scenarios where users are unsure of the product's name or cannot articulate its description accurately.

On the retail side of operations, Perplexity has initiated the Perplexity Merchant Programme. This initiative permits retailers to provide product details and pertinent information to the AI platform without incurring any fees. Furthermore, the company offers payment integration options and complimentary API access, facilitating a smooth shopping experience for customers.

As artificial intelligence commerce evolves, it is reshaping the online shopping landscape for consumers. This innovative approach streamlines multiple processes, including discovering products, providing customer support, establishing dynamic pricing, and deploying AI assistants to address product inquiries. Notable examples of AI-driven commerce tools include Amazon's Rufus AI, Shopify Magic, and Salesforce's Einstein AI.