TikTok launches AI shopping assistant with in-app checkout

TikTok announced on Oct. 5 that it is launching an AI-powered shopping assistant and a new in-app checkout feature that lets users buy directly from brands in their For You feed.

The Shopping Assistant is a conversational AI agent that understands context and remembers users' preferences throughout the conversation. It offers real-time guidance on product details, shipping, sizing, availability, and help completing a purchase. The one-click checkout enables users to buy from a brand directly from the main feed.

The features are being built with commerce platforms and payment providers including Salesforce, Shopify, Shoplazza, and Stripe. By pairing an AI assistant with direct payments, TikTok aims to keep users on its platform when they have questions about products, rather than turning to external AI tools, while broadening its e-commerce approach beyond TikTok Shop.

TikTok's e-commerce influence continues to grow. Its recent economic impact report said platform activity helped generate $81 billion in GDP for U.S. businesses, and 54 million Americans said they purchased a product after watching a TikTok video. TikTok Shop launched in the U.S. in September 2023; eMarketer estimates it generated about $15.8 billion in U.S. sales in 2025, roughly 18% of U.S. social commerce.