OpenAI Plan for ChatGPT Super App Hobbled by Gatekeeping, Gripes
Source: news.bloomberglaw.com
TL;DR
- OpenAI's ChatGPT mini-apps plan faces slow start six months in.
- 300+ integrations exist but suffer limited use and developer complaints.
- Hinders super app ambitions amid Apple rivalry and competition.
The story at a glance
OpenAI aimed to build a ChatGPT super app via third-party mini-apps from firms like Spotify and Booking Holdings, mimicking Apple's App Store. Six months post-launch, adoption lags due to partner hesitancy on payments and data, plus developer frustrations with approvals and tools. This comes as OpenAI streamlines products ahead of potential IPO.
Key moments & milestones
- Last year: OpenAI announces mini-apps for ChatGPT, partnering with Spotify Technology SA, Booking Holdings Inc., Figma, Expedia, Target.
- Six months ago: Platform launches with initial integrations.
- November 2025: Apple imposes 15% cut on super app in-app purchases.
- Now: 300+ app integrations available, but 70 apps approved last week alone after process speedup.
- Recently: OpenAI discontinues Sora video tool; plans unified desktop app with Atlas browser.
Signature highlights
- Partners limit functionality to retain customer relationships and payments; few apps enable full checkout inside ChatGPT.
- Developers report tedious approval process with AI-flagged false rejections, buggy coding tools, scarce usage analytics.
- Booking CEO Glenn Fogel: Referral traffic from ChatGPT remains "small" vs. Google ad spend.
- StubHub's Nayaab Islam: Consumers wary of sharing credit cards with AI; no primary buying channel yet.
- Apple's policy targets super apps like ChatGPT to protect App Store revenue.
- Criteo survey: 55% of 6,000 global consumers cautious on AI payments; 96% use multiple channels.
Key quotes
- Glenn Fogel (Booking CEO): “It’s easier to discover listings on Booking.com.”
- OpenAI spokesperson: “We’re still early in building this out, and we recognize there are areas where the developer experience needs to improve.”
- Nayaab Islam (StubHub President): “Having more options is a great thing for a business like ours.”
- Hanh Nguyen (Fractal CEO): Developers face lengthy approvals with “false signals” from AI review.
Why it matters
Super apps challenge Apple and Google ecosystems but face platform rules and trust hurdles. Developers and consumers get limited value now, slowing OpenAI's user growth and revenue diversification. Watch OpenAI's desktop app launch, developer tool fixes, and partner expansions for traction.