The question of monetizing generative artificial intelligence (AI) remains unresolved, because the price of subscriptions does not seem to cover its induced energy costs. According to The VergePerplexity inaugurates the possibility of purchasing products directly within it, without commission. Surprising, right?
US-based Perplexity Pro subscribers can now use a “Buy with Pro” button to order products without leaving the AI search interface. The company is offering free shipping on all purchases made through this new feature, while ineligible products will redirect users to the merchant site, according to The Verge.
A commission-free approach?
Surprisingly, Perplexity currently claims not to take any commission on sales made via its buy button. A spokesperson emphasizes that there is “no commercial element” in this functionality, which raises questions about the long-term economic model. It does not specify what will happen for users of the free model.
In the meantime, non-subscriber users are not left out, as they also benefit from new AI-assisted shopping features, including enriched product sheets. These cards include images, pricing, and AI-generated summaries of key features and customer reviews.
Innovation and business prospects
Perplexity is also launching “Snap to Shop,” a visual search tool comparable to Google Lens, allowing users to photograph a product to get information. This functionality, initially reserved for professional subscribers, is in addition to the platform’s existing visual search capabilities.
The company is also deploying a program dedicated to merchants, offering them insights into search and purchasing trends. This initiative aims to increase the visibility of participating merchants’ products, suggesting possible future monetization via commercial partnerships…
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