Shopify merchants selling through ChatGPT Checkout will pay OpenAI a 4% fee on those sales, according to a report by The Information. The report says Shopify has informed its merchants that their products will soon be available for purchase through AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s AI Mode or Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot, beginning on Monday, January 26.

These AI platforms have launched systems that let shoppers complete purchases directly within the chat interface without being redirected to an external website.

According to The Information, the 4% fee on sales processed through Checkout will be different from Shopify’s usual transaction and payment processing charges. This means merchants who opt into OpenAI’s Instant Checkout will pay both Shopify’s standard fees for processing payments and the additional fee that goes directly to OpenAI for facilitating purchases through the chat interface.

Other platforms, such as Google AI Mode and Microsoft Copilot, do not currently charge extra fees for sales made through their chat interfaces.

How merchants can use AI checkouts

Merchants are not automatically enrolled in ChatGPT Checkout. They need to opt in if they want their products to be sold through the chatbot. Merchants also have control over which AI platforms they participate in, meaning they can enable ChatGPT while keeping Google AI Mode or Microsoft Copilot turned off, or select any combination that fits their strategy. This is made possible through Shopify’s Agentic Storefronts, launched in December.

The report also notes that products may still appear in AI responses linking to merchant websites even if they do not opt into the fee-based checkout. However, merchants who prefer not to have their products appear in AI results have options to block indexing or contact the AI platform directly.

Balancing fees and exposure

However, concerns still exist. The Information reports that some merchants have said the 4% fee could reduce margins, especially on smaller sales. For instance, for low-cost products or items with already tight profit margins, an additional 4% per sale could significantly impact overall profitability. Merchants have noted that while the fee may be manageable for higher-ticket items, it could make low-value transactions less worthwhile.

Merchants also need to consider the cumulative effect of combining OpenAI’s fee with Shopify’s standard transaction and payment processing charges. For example, if a merchant is already paying Shopify’s usual fees of around 2.9% plus a fixed amount per transaction, the total cost on each sale could rise noticeably.

At the same time, selling through AI chatbots offers exposure to a broader audience. Merchants will need to weigh potential sales against additional costs and decide which AI platforms fit their business strategy.