Bol launches Shophulp beta version: chat guide first advice

Bol launched Shophulp this week, a beta version of an AI shopping assistant that guides customers through the orientation process and the purchase. This new feature engages in conversations in a chat environment and provides interactive support. Unlike traditional searches that often confront customers directly with a product list, Shophulp focuses first on giving substantive advice.

The AI assistant communicates in a natural chat style similar to popular AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Customers can outline their situation or needs, to which Shophulp responds with tips and suggestions, without immediately showing products. Only later does a product overview appear in the form of a carousel, allowing the assistant to act as a guide and focus on customer needs.

An important characteristic of Shophulp is that products often do not appear at the forefront of the answers. For example, when a customer asks for ideas for a children's party, they first receive suggestions for activities, with minimal commercial references. This ensures that the assistant primarily provides functional advice without overwhelming the customer with offers. In many cases, the product offering follows only after advice has been provided, separating the sales activity from the consultative process.

Bol intends to continuously improve the functionality of Shophulp based on user feedback. A team of specialists monitors the performance of the AI assistant, gathering input from customers and sales partners to refine the functionality. With this approach, Bol aims for a seamless integration of advice and product offerings, centering the customer journey and allowing the assistant to adapt to the questions and scenarios posed by users.

Read the full article from AI Insider.