Perplexity is taking a big step beyond just answering questions. The company is launching a new shopping interface for US users that turns its AI chatbot into a personal shopper. Thanks to a partnership with PayPal, you can now research and buy items without ever leaving the conversation.
The system uses the details you provide to narrow down options. You aren’t limited to generic keywords. You can tell the AI exactly what you need, such as “I need waterproof boots for walking a dog in snowy Chicago.” The assistant remembers your previous chats and preferences, then scans reviews and guides to find matches. It presents these choices in visual cards that highlight the pros and cons, effectively summarizing the research you would usually do yourself.
If a product looks good, the “Instant Buy” feature lets you purchase it immediately using payment methods stored in your PayPal account. This works for any merchant that accepts PayPal. While this means you skip visiting the retailer’s website, Perplexity argues that stores shouldn’t worry. They claim merchants still receive customer data, handle shipping, and manage returns as they normally do.
This move follows a trend. Google and OpenAI recently added similar shopping tools to their platforms. Like editorial sites that recommend products, these AI companies hope to earn a cut of the transaction when they send a buyer to a store.
However, Perplexity wants to go further than its rivals. Their end goal is a system where the AI handles the entire transaction from start to finish with zero human effort. This aggressive approach has already caused friction; Amazon recently sent a cease-and-desist letter after Perplexity’s Comet browser tried to automate purchases on Amazon’s site. For now, this new PayPal integration offers a smoother shopping experience while Perplexity navigates the complex relationship between AI agents and online retailers.
