Meta is rolling out shopping features for its Muse AI agent, connecting product searches on retailers’ websites with order preparation. Users can specify what they want, including brand, price and availability; if they choose to buy through the agent, Muse presents the order details for confirmation.
From a request to listings in the app
After the initial setup, shopping starts with a request to the agent. Muse then browses retailers’ websites for items that match the specified requirements. It displays selected listings in both its app and web interface.
The next step depends on the listing. Clicking it can take the user directly to the retailer’s website or open the listing within the Muse app. In the latter case, a button lets the user check out through the agent.
Order approval and connected payment services
When users choose to buy through Muse, the agent prepares the order and displays an “approval card” containing the details for confirmation. To complete the purchase, it also needs access to the customer’s email, full name and address. If it does not already have that information, it requests it.
Payments can be made through services such as Link by Stripe or Shopify Shop Pay, which users must connect to Muse. According to Meta, Link creates a single-use payment card for the transaction to keep the user’s actual card details hidden.
PayPal is also among the announced payment providers, but it was not yet available when the report was published. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at Meta Connect that the company would collect a small fee on transactions.
Partner integrations are rolling out gradually
On September 23, Meta announced partnerships with companies including Walmart, Gap and Sephora. Expedia, Wayfair and Best Buy were also part of the announcement. The integrations, called “connectors,” are intended to give the agent more direct access to partner services, although not all were active yet.
Ticketmaster is another announced partner and directs users to its own marketplace for payment. Its spokesperson said all final purchases take place there, with customers retaining control over their purchase decisions.
Amazon has blocked purchases through Muse
Amazon has blocked Muse from buying products on its website, saying the agent violates its terms of service. Among its allegations, the retailer says Muse stores customers’ login credentials and scrapes data from their accounts.
