Meta Tests Shopping Research Feature in AI Chatbot to Compete with OpenAI and Google
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 03 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Shopping Feature Testing: Meta is testing a shopping research feature in its AI chatbot that allows users to request product suggestions, aiming to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
- Enhanced User Experience: The feature is being rolled out to select US users, with the chatbot displaying suggestions in a carousel of product images, including brand, website, and price information, thereby enhancing the shopping experience.
- Transparent Recommendations: Meta also provides brief explanations of its recommendations in bullet-point format, helping users better understand the suggested products and increasing user trust.
- Strategic Competitive Positioning: A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the shopping tool is in testing, although further details were not disclosed, indicating Meta's ongoing innovation and competitive intent in the AI space.
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Analyst Views on META
Wall Street analysts forecast META stock price to rise
44 Analyst Rating
37 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 607.380
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 607.380
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
About META
Meta Platforms, Inc. is building human connections, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. The Company's products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), and wearables. It also helps people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enabling people to share their experiences, ideas, photos, videos, and other content with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large. The Company's segments include Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA segment includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. RL segment includes its virtual, augmented, and mixed reality related consumer hardware, software and content. Its product offerings in VR include its Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Horizon Store.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Privacy and Transparency: While users can post under anonymized usernames, Facebook group administrators can still view the real identities associated with Forum accounts, striking a balance between user privacy and community management needs.
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- Analyst Insights: Truist analysts noted that this move by Meta could gradually erode Reddit's utility, particularly for casual users, and recommended investors to keep an eye on Reddit's stock as a potential buy opportunity.
- Historical Context: Meta previously launched a Facebook Groups app over a decade ago but discontinued it in 2017, indicating Meta's ongoing interest in the social discussion space and its efforts to reclaim that market segment.
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- Stock Decline: Reddit shares fell approximately 6% on Friday, reflecting market concerns over Meta's new Forum app potentially impacting user congregation and discussions, leading to a nearly 40% decline in Reddit's stock this year.
- Increased Competition: The Forum app, launched as part of Facebook Groups, aims to compete with Reddit, with analysts noting that it could gradually erode Reddit's appeal to casual users who have less community loyalty.
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- Analyst Recommendations: Truist analysts recommend buying Reddit stock, suggesting that even with new competition, Reddit's core user base is likely to remain loyal, while the impact on non-core users could be more significant.
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