Perplexity touts AI personal shopper that ‘puts you first’ for holiday shoppers
We can already hear the holiday buzz, and tech companies are scrambling to turn AI into a sort of checkout helper. Most startups still show off algorithms that push shoppers toward one brand or the cheapest price, but a few are trying to make the interaction feel a bit more personal. The truth is, the holiday season serves as a real-world test lab, and every promise of “better recommendations” ends up being measured against actual carts and last-minute gift lists.
Perplexity’s newest pitch leans into that pressure; it markets its chatbot as a shopper that not only suggests items but, supposedly, puts the buyer’s preferences first. The language they use hints at a move away from generic nudges toward a service that claims to get to know each shopper. In a market crowded with AI-powered storefronts, that claim catches attention, perhaps because it speaks to the fatigue many feel when they’re hit with endless choices.
The next line sums up what Perplexity is trying to say this holiday season.
Perplexity says its AI personal shopper 'puts you first' Ahead of the holidays, every AI company is showing off how it can direct shoppers to specific products and retailers. Ahead of the holidays, every AI company is showing off how it can direct shoppers to specific products and retailers. If you ask for a jacket to wear on your commute by ferry across the Bay to San Francisco, Perplexity says the chatbot will remember this past interaction to inform its recommendation when you later ask for boots. It's available now on the desktop and web, with mobile access via iOS and Android due in "the coming weeks." Perplexity says its "Instant Buy" partnership with PayPal allows merchants to stay in the retail loop and build relationships with customers, "just as they would on their own sites," perhaps as a way to address what The Verge EIC Nilay Patel has described as "the DoorDash problem." Perplexity's announcement post takes digs at search bars that it says "fail at exploration" and editorial outlets that "prioritize affiliate revenue over matching readers to the exact products they'll love" (maybe you could take a look at our Black Friday guide and see how it measures up?).
Shoppers are being asked to trust a brand-new AI assistant for their holiday purchases. Perplexity’s personal shopper claims to “put you first” and is now free for U.S. users just as the season ramps up.
The layout feels a lot like the shopping tool we saw in ChatGPT: you type what you need, then refine the list with follow-up prompts. Results show up as cards with specs, reviews and, according to Perplexity, you can actually buy straight from the interface when the merchant participates. This puts Perplexity in the same lane as other AI companies rolling out recommendation widgets before the holidays.
The article, however, doesn’t share any numbers on how many people actually convert or how satisfied they are, so the real impact is still a guess. It’s also fuzzy how the service deals with price differences or return policies across various stores. Saying it puts shoppers first sounds good, but without third-party checks it’s hard to know how much value it really adds.
As people start using the feature, its performance will show whether it’s more than just another shopping aid.
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Common Questions Answered
How does Perplexity's AI personal shopper claim to 'put you first' for holiday shoppers?
Perplexity says its chatbot remembers past interactions, such as a request for a commuter jacket, to tailor future recommendations. By leveraging this memory, it aims to provide more personalized product suggestions during the busy holiday season.
What user experience does Perplexity's shopping interface resemble, and how does it work?
The interface mirrors ChatGPT's shopping research flow: users type a product request, then refine results with follow‑up questions. Recommended items are displayed as cards that include specifications, reviews, and the option to complete purchases directly through Perplexity.
Is Perplexity's AI personal shopper feature available for free, and who can access it?
Yes, Perplexity is rolling out the personal shopper as a free feature for U.S. users just in time for the holiday season. This launch allows American shoppers to test the AI assistant without any subscription fee.
How does Perplexity differentiate its AI shopping assistant from other startups' algorithms?
Unlike many startups that push shoppers toward a single brand or price point, Perplexity focuses on personalized recommendations that adapt to individual preferences. Its memory of prior queries and broader product cards aim to create a more tailored and trustworthy holiday shopping experience.