ChatGPT Agent: A New Step in AI-Powered Search

Last week, OpenAI announced a new feature called ChatGPT Agent, which enables its platform to browse the web, gather information, and complete specific tasks without requiring step-by-step user prompts.

While it’s still early days for this technology, ChatGPT Agent combines two existing capabilities (browsing and deep research) into one streamlined mode. This means a user can provide a broad instruction, and the AI will handle the entire process from start to finish.

What ChatGPT Agent Can Do Now

In OpenAI’s demo, a user asked ChatGPT Agent to design a company-branded sticker, find a printing vendor, order 500 stickers, and confirm the order. The AI navigated to a site called StickerSpark, selected a design, completed the checkout process, and finalized the purchase — all without requiring additional prompts.

OpenAI also highlighted other potential uses:

• Planning and booking travel itineraries

• Organizing a dinner party, including the menu and reservations

• Finding local specialists and scheduling appointments

While these examples focus on convenience for individual users, the underlying concept remains the same: ChatGPT Agent can autonomously carry out multi-step online tasks.

How This Differs From Current AI Tools

Most AI assistants today work best in a back-and-forth style: you give an instruction, they respond, and you refine your request. ChatGPT Agent aims to reduce that back-and-forth by understanding the broader goal and completing the steps needed to achieve it.

For example, instead of:

1. Asking for a list of local plumbers

2. Reviewing the list yourself

3. Asking the AI to email or book one

…you could say: “Find a local plumber available this week and schedule an appointment,” and the AI would handle the rest.

Why Businesses Should Pay Attention

As SEO strategist Chris Long notes, features like ChatGPT Agent move us closer to “agentic search,” where AI tools don’t just present options but make decisions based on what they find online.

That means the information AI sees about your business becomes even more critical. Clear, accurate, and consistent details across your website, Google Business Profile, and other listings help ensure that both human users and AI agents can understand what you offer.

What to Do Now

You don’t need to overhaul your marketing to prepare for ChatGPT Agent, but you can take small steps that will serve you well as search technology evolves:

• Audit your business information. Ensure that your address, hours, service areas, and contact details are consistent across all platforms.

• Showcase your services clearly. Include descriptions, pricing (if applicable), and any specialties you offer.

• Encourage reviews. A strong review profile can help both people and AI tools assess your credibility.

• Keep your website easy to navigate. Fast load times, mobile-friendly design, and clear calls-to-action matter for every visitor.

The Bottom Line

ChatGPT Agent isn’t replacing traditional search right now, and most homeowners aren’t using AI to book services yet. However, this is a notable step toward more automated, decision-making AI tools and a sign that visibility online isn’t just about ranking in Google, but about ensuring your business information is accurate, compelling, and easy to act upon.

By focusing on clear communication and consistent online presence today, you’ll be ready for whatever new search habits, human or AI-driven, come next.