Shopify opens its catalog to more AI agents

Shopify says shoppers will be able to connect more AI agents to its catalog and configure them to buy products on their behalf. The company announced the feature on Tuesday, saying it gives agents access to more than a billion listings, including items from Shopify storefronts and elsewhere.

Customers connect an agent through Shop, Shopify’s platform for consolidating orders, tracking packages and recommending products. When an agent finds an item, the shopper can check out in the conversation using Shop Pay. Orders placed through an agent appear in the Shop app, and buyers must approve each purchase.

Shopify describes the feature as a “personal shopper” that can follow rules set by the customer, such as budget limits or showing only products with fast shipping. In September, Shopify announced a partnership with Meta that let Meta’s Muse agent browse and buy products for a person. The new feature does not require a partnership integration.

AI shopping has become a focus for technology and commerce companies, including Google and Amazon. The Verge reports that Amazon and AI companies such as Perplexity, and more recently Meta’s Muse, have also been involved in disputes over whether agents should be able to shop on a customer’s behalf.