Traditionally, businesses have focused their digital marketing efforts on appearing in Google search results, whether through search engine optimisation (SEO) or paid advertising.
When a user searches for a product, service or information, businesses compete to appear in the search results and get in front of potential customers at the right moment.
However, the way people find information online is changing, with the growing popularity of AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT.
Instead of simply typing a search into Google and browsing through results, more people are using AI chatbots to ask questions and have conversations.
Tools like ChatGPT can understand the context of previous messages, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and receive more detailed, relevant answers.
This is where ChatGPT’s new Sponsored Agents feature comes in.
What are ChatGPT Sponsored Agents?
OpenAI is testing a new “Sponsored Agents” feature that could allow users to start a conversation with a business’s AI assistant after seeing an advert in ChatGPT.
These Sponsored Agents would be clearly labelled as adverts, giving users the choice of whether they want to interact with the business’s AI assistant.
Unlike traditional adverts, which usually send users through to a website, Sponsored Agents allow businesses to create their own AI-powered assistants that can have conversations with potential customers directly within ChatGPT.
The assistant could answer questions, provide information, recommend products or services and help users understand their options before making a decision.
For example, a kitchen company could create a Sponsored Agent that helps someone compare kitchen styles, answer questions about different products, provide recommendations or guide them towards booking a consultation.
The difference is that users are not simply clicking an advert and leaving ChatGPT.
The conversation allows businesses to help potential customers at the exact moment they are researching, comparing options or deciding what to buy.
As AI-powered platforms continue to grow, businesses that understand how to appear in these conversations will be better placed to connect with potential customers in the future.
Want to find out how you can enhance the visibility of your website in ChatGPT and AI search? Get in touch with Engage Web today.
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