People can now buy your products directly from ChatGPT and Google AI results without ever leaving the conversation. You make this possible by implementing two commerce protocols on your store, the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) for ChatGPT and the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for Google.
At TJ Digital, we work with e-commerce businesses on AI optimization, and right now we estimate fewer than 2% of small and medium-sized businesses have set any of this up. The good news is that if you’re on Shopify, most of the work is already done for you.
What Are ACP and UCP?
ChatGPT uses something called the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), developed by OpenAI and Stripe. Google uses the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), co-developed with Shopify.
Both work the same way at a high level. Your store exposes specific API endpoints that let AI agents add items to a cart, check cart status, and complete checkout. You then publish a manifest document at a specific URL on your site that tells the AI agents where to find these endpoints and how to use them.
The biggest practical difference is cost. Google’s UCP is free and open to everyone. For ChatGPT, you have to apply, and if they accept you, they take about 4% of every sale.
| ACP (ChatGPT) | UCP (Google AI) | |
| Developed by | OpenAI + Stripe | Google + Shopify |
| Cost to merchant | ~4% per transaction | Free |
| Access | Application required | Open to all |
| Payment method | Stripe only | Multiple options |
| Scope | Checkout flow | Full shopping journey |
How Do Customers Actually Buy Through AI?
When someone is chatting with ChatGPT and a relevant product comes up, they see a “Buy” button right in the conversation. They confirm shipping and payment without leaving the chat. ChatGPT processes the payment through Stripe, and your store fulfills the order through your normal systems.
Google’s version works similarly through AI Mode and the Gemini app. Eligible products show a buy button, and customers complete purchases using Google Pay with their saved payment details.
In both cases, the customer pays using stored credentials. You process and ship the order like any other sale.
How to Set Up Shopify for AI Commerce
If you’re on Shopify, congratulations. Most of this is already done for you.
Shopify built support for both protocols through their Agentic Storefronts sales channel. You don’t need to install plugins, write code, or set up separate product feeds. Add the Agentic Storefronts channel from your Shopify admin, and Shopify automatically syndicates your product data to every connected AI platform.
Make sure all your products are tagged as Native Commerce so they’re eligible. Shopify reports that AI-driven search traffic converts about 49% more often than organic search traffic, so this channel is already producing real results. Shopify charges no additional transaction fees for AI-driven sales beyond your standard processing rates.
What Do WooCommerce Stores Need to Install?
If you have a WordPress store using WooCommerce, there are a few additional steps. You’ll need to install three plugins.
UCP plugin. Install a Universal Commerce Protocol plugin (like “UCP Ready for WooCommerce”). This creates the public discovery endpoint at /.well-known/ucp and the cart and checkout APIs that Google’s AI agents use to browse and buy your products.
ACP plugin. Install an Agentic Commerce Protocol plugin (like “Instant Checkout via ACP” for WooCommerce). This adds the four checkout endpoints ChatGPT needs and provides a machine-readable product feed.
Stripe Payment Gateway. If you don’t already have it, install the Stripe Payment Gateway plugin for WooCommerce. ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout runs entirely through Stripe, and there is no way around this requirement.
Once the plugins are active, you can either add a global tag to your store marking all products as Native Commerce, or add a supplementary feed to your Google Merchant Center account noting which products are eligible.
How Do You Check if Everything Is Set Up Correctly?
Go to ucpchecker.com and paste in your store URL (shout out to Marie Haynes for sharing this tool). It checks both UCP and ACP compliance and tells you if everything is configured correctly. If something is missing, it tells you exactly what needs to be fixed.
This is the fastest way to confirm your manifest is well-formed, your endpoints respond correctly, and your payment handlers are set up. Run this check before assuming you’re live.
Does Your Product Data Matter for AI Sales?
Yes, and it matters more than you might expect. AI agents recommend products based almost entirely on the data you provide. If your product data is more complete and descriptive than your competitor’s, you have a real advantage.
Make sure your product titles include all the terms someone might use when searching for that product. Fill out your descriptions with relevant specs and features.
Drive reviews to your most important products, because review data appears to be a significant factor in AI product recommendations. We covered this in detail in our product feed guide.
What Should E-Commerce Businesses Do Right Now?
When we started doing AI optimization for our clients, the competition was almost nonexistent. We’re seeing the same thing right now with AI commerce. These shopping systems are still relatively simple, and the window is wide open.
If you’re on Shopify, enable Agentic Storefronts and make sure your product data is complete. If you’re on WooCommerce, install the UCP, ACP, and Stripe plugins. And regardless of platform, make sure your website is ready for AI agents by having structured data, clean internal links, and server-rendered content.
These protocols are changing how people buy things online. The e-commerce businesses that move first will have the biggest head start. Talk to our team about getting your store set up for AI commerce.