How to Build a ChatGPT App for Your Business (Without Writing Code)

What Is a ChatGPT App? Definition and Key Features

A ChatGPT app is an interactive application that runs directly inside ChatGPT conversations, allowing businesses to display real-time information, accept bookings, show product catalogs, and process transactions without users leaving the chat interface.

Unlike traditional chatbots or the older ChatGPT plugins (which were discontinued in 2024), ChatGPT apps use OpenAI's Apps SDK to render full interactive interfaces including maps, images, videos, and checkout flows directly within the conversation.

ChatGPT apps differ from GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) in one critical way: GEO helps your business get mentioned by ChatGPT, while ChatGPT apps let your business appear inside the conversation with full functionality.

Two Ways Businesses Appear in ChatGPT: GEO vs. Apps

Let me break down what's actually happening in the AI discovery landscape right now.

Path 1: Passive Discovery Through GEO

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing your online presence so AI systems like ChatGPT recommend your business. According to research from Backlinko, 47% of brands still lack any GEO strategy, despite LLM traffic predicted to overtake traditional Google search referrals by the end of 2027.

GEO tactics include:

• Optimizing your website with structured data and schema markup
• Building authority through reviews, directory listings, and mentions on platforms like Reddit
• Creating content that answers common questions in your industry
• Ensuring your business information is consistent across the web

GEO is valuable, but it has limitations: you can't control how ChatGPT describes your business, and there's no guaranteed visibility.

Path 2: Active Presence Through ChatGPT Apps

On October 6, 2025, OpenAI launched apps inside ChatGPT at DevDay 2025. This is a fundamentally different approach to AI discovery.

When someone asks ChatGPT about apartments in Austin, they don't just get a text answer. Zillow's app appears with an interactive map, property photos, pricing, and the ability to filter results in real time. When someone wants workout recommendations, Peloton's app shows specific classes with direct links to their platform.

The key difference: GEO means hoping to be mentioned. A ChatGPT app means being there when the customer is ready to act.

Which Companies Have ChatGPT Apps? Complete List (November 2025)

As of November 2025, these businesses have live ChatGPT apps:

Original Launch Partners (October 6, 2025)

According to OpenAI's official announcement, seven pilot partners launched on October 6, 2025:

Apps Added in November 2025

• Peloton: Workout recommendations based on fitness goals
• TripAdvisor: Hotel search with reviews and location maps

Confirmed Upcoming ChatGPT Apps

OpenAI has confirmed the following companies will launch ChatGPT apps:

• Uber and Uber Eats
• DoorDash
• Instacart
• AllTrails
• OpenTable
• Target
• Khan Academy
• TheFork
• Thumbtack

How ChatGPT Instant Checkout Works for E-Commerce

OpenAI launched the Agentic Commerce Protocol on September 29, 2025, enabling Instant Checkout directly inside ChatGPT conversations.

What is ChatGPT Instant Checkout? It's a payment system developed by OpenAI and Stripe that allows users to purchase products without leaving the ChatGPT interface. The protocol is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license.

How it works: Users can ask ChatGPT for product recommendations, view options with images and pricing, and complete purchases using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit cards. Merchants pay a small transaction fee (percentage undisclosed), while users pay no markup.

Technical Requirements to Build a ChatGPT App

OpenAI's Apps SDK is available in preview as of October 2025. Here are the technical requirements to build a ChatGPT app:

Required Components

1. MCP Server (Model Context Protocol): An open standard that lets ChatGPT connect to your backend systems. MCP was originally developed by Anthropic and adopted by OpenAI as the foundation for the Apps SDK.
2. OAuth 2.1 with PKCE Authentication: Enterprise-grade security protocol required for user logins. PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) prevents authorization code interception attacks.
3. JSON Schema Tool Contracts: Precise definitions of what your app can do, formatted as JSON schemas that tell ChatGPT when and how to invoke your app's functions.
4. Web Components: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for your app's interactive elements. Apps render inside sandboxed iframes within ChatGPT.
5. Backend Infrastructure: OpenAI does not host your app logic. You need your own server infrastructure to handle requests.

Three Display Modes for ChatGPT Apps

According to OpenAI's documentation, ChatGPT apps can render in three modes:

• Inline cards: Compact interactive elements within the chat flow
• Picture-in-picture: Floating windows (used by Coursera for video playback)
• Fullscreen: Immersive experiences for complex interactions

How to Build a ChatGPT App Without Coding: No-Code Solutions

The same pattern that happened with websites is happening with AI apps. In 1995, you needed a developer to build a website. By 2010, platforms like Squarespace made it accessible to anyone.

The No-Code Approach with Noodle Seed

Noodle Seed is a no-code platform that enables businesses to build ChatGPT apps without technical expertise. Here's the process:

Multi-Platform Deployment

Because Noodle Seed builds on universal standards (MCP and OAuth 2.1), apps work across multiple AI platforms. One business profile deploys to:

• ChatGPT (available now)
• Claude (when Anthropic opens their app ecosystem)
• Gemini (when Google opens their app ecosystem)
• Perplexity (as their platform develops)

This "build once, deploy everywhere" approach future-proofs your investment as more AI platforms enable app integrations.

Which Businesses Should Build a ChatGPT App Now?

Best Fit: Act Now

Local service businesses are the strongest fit for immediate ChatGPT app deployment. When someone asks ChatGPT "who's the best family attorney in Austin?" or "find me a plumber near downtown," having an app means appearing with your information, services, and contact details rather than hoping for a mention.

Categories with highest impact:

• Restaurants and food service
• Law firms and legal services
• Medical and dental practices
• Real estate agents and brokers
• Home service contractors (plumbers, electricians, HVAC)
• Fitness studios and personal trainers

Agencies and consultants can offer ChatGPT app setup as a new service line. Most businesses don't know this capability exists, creating opportunity for early-mover agencies.

E-commerce brands should prioritize ChatGPT presence as Instant Checkout expands to more merchants. Being discoverable inside ChatGPT captures customers at the decision point.

Can Wait

• Businesses without an existing online presence (fix your website first)
• Heavily regulated industries with AI interaction restrictions
• Very long B2B sales cycles (though this is changing as enterprise buyers use AI for research)

How to Check If Your Business Appears in ChatGPT

5-Minute Visibility Audit

Test your current AI visibility by opening ChatGPT and asking these questions:

1. "What's the best [your category] in [your city]?"
2. "Find me a [your service] near [your location]"
3. "Who do you recommend for [your specialty]?"
4. "Compare [your category] options in [your area]"

Document whether you're mentioned, and if so, whether the information is accurate. This establishes your baseline before taking action.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Business on ChatGPT

Option 1: GEO Optimization (Passive Discovery)

1. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile with accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
2. Add FAQ schema markup to your website
3. Ensure business information consistency across all directories
4. Create content that directly answers common customer questions
5. Build citations on authoritative industry directories
6. Encourage and respond to customer reviews

Option 2: Build a ChatGPT App (Active Presence)

Technical path:

1. Access OpenAI's Apps SDK documentation at developers.openai.com
2. Set up an MCP server to handle ChatGPT requests
3. Implement OAuth 2.1 with PKCE authentication
4. Define JSON schema tool contracts for your app's functions
5. Build web components for your interactive interface
6. Test in Developer Mode within ChatGPT
7. Submit for review when OpenAI opens submissions

No-code path:

1. Visit noodleseed.com
2. Enter your website URL
3. Review and customize your business profile
4. Deploy to ChatGPT in minutes

The Future of AI Discovery: Why This Matters Now

ChatGPT has 800 million weekly active users according to OpenAI. These users are shifting from searching (typing queries into Google) to asking (conversing with AI assistants).

For 25 years, Google dominated because they owned the moment of intent. That's changing. Research from multiple sources indicates LLM-referred traffic is growing at 800% year-over-year, with projections that AI referrals will surpass traditional search by late 2027.

The businesses that show up inside AI conversations will capture the next decade's customers. The ones that don't will see their discovery channels disappear.

This follows the pattern of every platform shift:

• Businesses that ignored the internet in 1999
• Businesses that ignored mobile in 2010
• Businesses that ignored social media in 2015

Each shift created winners who moved early and losers who waited too long.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT Apps for Business