Shopify Expands Access for AI Agents to Shop on Behalf of Customers

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Shopify now allows more AI agents to browse and purchase from its vast catalog, enabling users to configure agents to buy items within budget and shipping preferences via the Shop app.

Shopify has broadened its support for AI-driven shopping by enabling a wider range of AI agents to access and purchase products from its extensive catalog, which includes over a billion listings both on and off Shopify storefronts. This move marks an expansion beyond Shopify’s initial collaboration with Meta’s Muse agent, which previously enabled AI-assisted purchasing for customers.

Now, users can connect various AI agents to their Shop accounts — an app owned by Shopify that consolidates orders, tracks shipments, and offers personalized product recommendations. With this integration, customers can set up their AI agents as “personal shoppers” that follow specific rules such as budget limits or preferences for fast shipping. Crucially, buyers must approve each purchase before it is finalized.

Checkout is streamlined through a one-click Shop Pay feature embedded directly within conversations with the AI agent, allowing transactions to be smooth and secure. Orders initiated by AI agents are visible and managed through the Shop app interface.

This development reflects the larger trend in e-commerce where AI-driven personal assistants are becoming integral to shopping experiences. Major tech companies, including Google and Amazon, are heavily investing in systems where AI helps users shop, book travel, or order food autonomously. Shopify’s strategy places it among key players aiming to empower AI agents to act on shoppers' behalf with greater flexibility and control.

The advancement comes amid ongoing debates and competition about the role and regulation of AI agents in commerce, involving companies like Amazon and AI developers such as Perplexity and Meta. Shopify’s latest update signals a significant step toward mainstreaming AI-powered agentic commerce, offering customers more personalized and automated purchasing options while maintaining buyer oversight.