Do I need to set up AI channels manually on Shopify?

No. Shopify agentic storefronts are active by default for eligible stores — there's no switch to flip. ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot become available automatically once your store meets the eligibility requirements. Google AI Mode is in early access and requires a separate invitation, but the same eligibility criteria apply.

What's the difference between how ChatGPT and Google AI Mode attribute orders?

ChatGPT sends buyers to your regular Shopify storefront, so orders show up under 'Total sales by referrer' in Shopify Analytics. Google AI Mode and Microsoft Copilot use Shopify's direct checkout embedded inside the AI interface — those orders appear under Settings → Sales channels → Agentic storefronts in your admin.

Why aren't my products showing up in ChatGPT or Google Shopping?

The most common reasons: the product doesn't have an image, it's hidden from search engines in Shopify, or the store isn't accepting US or Canadian orders. Check your product's status in Shopify admin and ensure it's published to the Online Store channel and not marked as 'Unlisted'.

Does Google AI Mode require the Google & YouTube Shopify app?

Yes. For your products to appear in Google AI Mode specifically, they need to be published to the Google & YouTube sales channel in Shopify — not just the Online Store channel. The other AI channels (ChatGPT, Copilot) don't require this.

How to Prepare Your Shopify Store for AI Shopping Channels

AI shopping is no longer a future trend. ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Microsoft Copilot are actively sending buyers to Shopify stores right now. Shopify data shows AI-driven traffic grew 8x year-over-year in early 2026, and orders from AI sources grew even faster.

The good news: you don't need to integrate anything or flip a special switch. Shopify's agentic storefronts are enabled automatically for eligible stores. The bad news: eligibility depends on a set of criteria that many stores quietly fail — and if you fail them, you're simply not visible.

Here's what to check.

Keep up with changes: Shopify's eligibility criteria for AI channels are updated as the feature evolves. Always check Shopify's official Catalog requirements page for the most current list before acting on this guide.

How AI Channels Work for Shopify Stores

Shopify routes AI channel traffic through two different mechanisms, depending on the platform:

ChatGPT — customers discover products through ChatGPT and complete checkout on your regular Shopify store. Orders appear in Shopify Analytics under "Total sales by referrer" and are attributed to chatgpt.com or openai.com.

Google AI Mode and Microsoft Copilot — these use Shopify's direct checkout embedded inside the AI interface. Customers never leave the AI platform. Orders appear in Shopify admin under Settings → Sales channels → Agentic storefronts, filtered by channel.

Both types are active by default for eligible stores. ChatGPT and Copilot are generally available. Google AI Mode is in early access rollout as of mid-2026.

Store-Level Eligibility

Before anything else, your store itself needs to meet these requirements:

Plan: Shopify Starter or higher. The free trial plan doesn't qualify.

No password protection: Your storefront must be publicly accessible. If your store is in password-protected mode (common during development), it won't be indexed by AI systems.

Store policies completed: In Shopify admin, go to Settings → Policies. Your Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Return/Refund Policy must all be filled out. Missing policies will disqualify your store.

Compliant with Shopify's Acceptable Use Policy: Certain product categories (weapons, adult content, etc.) are excluded regardless of other eligibility.

Product-Level Eligibility

Each individual product also needs to meet a checklist. A product fails silently — there's no error message, it just doesn't appear in AI channel surfaces.

Go through your catalog and verify each product has:

A title (required — no title, no indexing)
At least one image (products with no image are excluded)
A price above $0 (free products are not eligible)
Shipping to the US or Canada enabled (at least one shipping zone covering either country)
Published to Online Store (or Hydrogen/Headless if you're on a custom storefront)
Not hidden from search engines — in the product editor, scroll to the SEO section and make sure "Hide from search engines" is unchecked
Not set to "Unlisted" status
No sensitive or mature content (see Shopify Acceptable Use Policy)

For Google AI Mode specifically: Products also need to be published to the Google & YouTube sales channel in Shopify. This is separate from the Online Store channel. If you haven't installed the Google & YouTube app from the Shopify App Store, your products won't appear in Google AI Mode even if everything else checks out.

How to Verify Your Store Is Eligible

Once your store and products meet the criteria above, Shopify will automatically include you in the agentic storefront system.

To check your current status:

Go to Shopify admin → Settings → Sales channels
Look for an "Agentic storefronts" section
If you see channels listed (Google AI Mode, Microsoft Copilot), your store is eligible
If the section isn't visible, your store may not meet the criteria above, or you may not yet have received early access to Google AI Mode

To check for existing AI channel orders:

ChatGPT orders: Shopify admin → Analytics → Reports → "Total sales by referrer" — look for chatgpt.com or openai.com
Copilot/Google AI Mode orders: Settings → Sales channels → Agentic storefronts → click a channel to see orders with that channel filter

What Happens With Active Promotions

One gap worth knowing about: Shopify discounts you create in the admin are visible to buyers who reach your store directly. But if a buyer is completing checkout inside Google AI Mode or Microsoft Copilot's embedded checkout, they only see what's in your structured product data.

For promotions to appear in Google's AI surfaces (Universal Cart, Direct Offers), they need to be in your Google Merchant Center Promotions feed — not just in Shopify. For most merchants, this sync doesn't happen automatically. Promly handles this sync automatically if you're connected to Google Merchant Center.

The Checklist

Print this and run through it before assuming your store is invisible to AI channels:

Store level:

Shopify Starter plan or higher
No password protection
Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Return/Refund Policy all completed
Compliant with Shopify Acceptable Use Policy

Product level (for each product you want in AI channels):

For Google AI Mode specifically:

Published to Google & YouTube sales channel (requires Google & YouTube Shopify app)

If you're checking all these boxes and still not seeing AI channel traffic, the most likely explanations are either that Google AI Mode early access hasn't reached your store yet, or that your product category has low purchase-intent traffic in AI interfaces.