23 Daily — According to theverge.com, on November 10, 2026, ChatGPT announced the launch of a new feature called verified AI “Business Agents.” This feature is initially available in beta for eligible e-commerce and online service businesses in the United States. It allows users to chat directly with verified agents who represent brands, helping with tasks such as product comparison and inquiries.
How Business Agents Function
When users inquire about a brand’s products or services, if that brand has created a Business Agent, ChatGPT will offer the option to chat with that agent in its response. Users can ask detailed questions about the business offerings and follow up with comparison requests, such as differences between two products. Businesses have the ability to specify the Business Agent’s instructions and provide relevant business context to enable precise responses. Chats with Business Agents are clearly labeled and separated from the main ChatGPT conversations.
Brand Verification and Management via Business Hub
To activate a Business Agent, companies must claim their organization and complete verification through OpenAI’s Business Hub. According to OpenAI’s VP of monetization, Benji Shomair, verification methods differ across businesses, so specific details have not been disclosed. The Business Hub also provides insights such as the number of times a brand is mentioned in ChatGPT responses and top discovery topics, assisting businesses in tracking brand exposure and user interests.
Integrating Businesses More Deeply into ChatGPT
OpenAI states that this launch marks an early step toward deeper integration of businesses within ChatGPT, aiming to provide accurate business information, useful insights, and conversations that help users make informed decisions. In the future, OpenAI plans to explore more ways for businesses to connect with customers—directly or through agents—both within ChatGPT and beyond. The goal is to make ChatGPT more useful for users making decisions and offer businesses new avenues to participate and grow.
Editor's take: Verified Business Agents Open New Channels for Entrepreneurs
The introduction of verified Business Agents in ChatGPT enables brands to directly engage consumers through AI-driven conversations, enhancing transparency and interaction quality. For startups in e-commerce and online services, this presents a proactive channel to reach potential customers, showcase product strengths, and drive conversions via real-time interaction. Entrepreneurs can build their own Business Agents to capture frequent customer questions and needs, and leverage Business Hub analytics to refine marketing strategies. While verification procedures remain undisclosed, the ability to certify a brand and deliver accurate information will be critical to success. Startup teams should closely monitor OpenAI’s business offerings, apply for early access, and test the feature’s impact and user reception within their markets.