On Monday, Perplexity announced the launch of two new features designed to enhance the shopping experience for its users. The AI-driven search engine is introducing ‘Buy with Pro’ and ‘Snap to Shop’ functionalities aimed at subscribers of its Pro service. The ‘Buy with Pro’ feature enables users to purchase items directly through the platform after receiving product suggestions, while ‘Snap to Shop’ allows users to take a photo of an item which the AI will then use to find similar products.
In a recent blog post, Perplexity elaborated on the new capabilities. Both features are available to Perplexity Pro users in the United States. The ‘Buy with Pro’ utility lets users search for a specific product or solicit recommendations for certain scenarios. Upon receiving results, users will also view a curated selection of products available for immediate purchase with a single click.
A glimpse of Perplexity’s Buy with Pro interface
Photo Credit: Perplexity
To utilize the ‘Buy with Pro’ feature, users must first input their shipping and billing details in Perplexity’s system. After this setup, they can click the ‘Buy with Pro’ button beside their selected products to complete purchases directly within the app. Additionally, the platform offers free shipping on all orders. If a specific item does not support the ‘Buy with Pro’ functionality, users will be redirected to the respective merchant’s website for their purchase.
The ‘Snap to Shop’ feature functions similarly to Google Lens, allowing users to aim their smartphone cameras at products to initiate a search. The AI will then locate either the exact item or similar alternatives, which can also be bought via the ‘Buy with Pro’ feature. This tool caters to instances where a user is unsure about the product’s name or description.
Moreover, Perplexity has initiated the Perplexity Merchant Programme, enabling retailers to provide product specifications and related information without incurring costs. The company also offers payment integration solutions and free access to its application programming interface (API), facilitating a smoother buying experience.
AI commerce is gaining traction as an innovative online shopping method. This technology simplifies and automates various aspects, including product discovery, dynamic pricing, customer support, and the use of AI assistants to address product inquiries. Notable examples of AI commerce tools include Amazon’s Rufus AI, Shopify Magic, and Salesforce’s Einstein AI.
