Shopify is stepping into generative artificial intelligence with the launch of Shopify Magic, a tool that generates product descriptions using large language models.
When creating a product listing on Shopify, merchants can enter at least two keywords that they would like to target in search results, then have the AI tool automatically write a product description that features those keywords.
Merchants can select a tone — like "expert" or "sophisticated" — that they would like their copy to adopt for a consistent sound across their online store.
"Product descriptions play a critical role in the decision-making process for customers, and improving your descriptions can help drive traffic to your site and increase conversions," a company blog post announcing the new feature read.
Shopify Magic is a type of generative AI, which takes in large amounts of data and then teaches itself to create new text that can mimic human speech.
The technology has created a gold rush across the industry. The rapid rise of AI chatbot ChatGPT, which, like Shopify Magic, relies on LLMs, has fueled investment in other generative AI startups. Microsoft announced this week that it would integrate ChatGPT into its Bing search engine, a move that some are saying could challenge Google's dominance in search. And Google announced its own rival to ChatGPT, called Bard, on Monday.
Shopify Magic is the Canadian e-commerce company's first foray into generative AI, but it has indicated that more features are on the way. A spokesperson said that the company would have more details to share about Shopify Magic in the coming months.
The company blog post said that "many" merchants have access to it now, but that others who are interested can request to join a waitlist.
Shopify Magic was one of many new products that the company announced on Thursday as part of a semi-annual report it calls Shopify Editions. It also unveiled new plans for its logistics operation, more customizations for its Shop app, and a new one-page checkout, among many other updates.
If you're a Shopify employee or merchant with a story to share, contact this reporter at mstone@insider.com or on the encrypted messaging app Signal at (646) 889-2143 using a nonwork phone.
