Perplexity launches AI shopping assistant

Perplexity, a search engine that uses AI to answer queries, has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant for its users in the US.

When asking the search engine a shopping question, users will get product cards showing relevant items and details in a visual format.

Perplexity says these recommendations are not sponsored but instead tailored to each individual search.

Using Perplexity Pro, users can checkout on Perplexity’s website or app for selected products from selected merchants. If a product is unavailable on the platform, users are redirected to the merchant’s website.

Shoppers can also find relevant products by taking a photo of an item with no need for them to input the name or description of the product.

Perplexity claims the service will get rid of the need to read product reviews as it summarises comparisons in “clear, everyday language” to enable shoppers to make decisions about an item.

The company added that the AI assistant is powered by platform integrations including Shopify, which gives access to the most recent and relevant information on products across businesses that use the platform to sell and ship to the US.

Perplexity said it aims to expand the service to other countries in the coming months.
Additionally, Perplexity has launched a programme for merchants to enable retailers to share their products and access live details on available items.

The programme is free to use and provides retailers with a custom dashboard that gives merchants insights into search and shopping trends that surface their products.