Ecommerce
UCP and ACP: the new protocols that will change online purchases
Google and OpenAI are developing protocols so that AI agents can shop online stores safely. Understand what UCP and ACP are and how to prepare.
Updated: Written by: Wallpay Editorial TeamReviewed by: Wallpay Technical Team6 min read
New protocols for AI to buy in online stores
Google and OpenAI are developing technical protocols that will allow artificial intelligence agents to interact with online stores securely: search for products, check availability, compare options and complete purchases on the user's behalf. These protocols are known as UCP (Universal Checkout Protocol) and ACP (Agentic Commerce Protocol).
Although still in development, these protocols point the direction of e-commerce: a future where AI agents are regular shoppers in online stores.
Key points: UCP and ACP are protocols for AI agents to purchase from online stores. Google and OpenAI lead its development. They are in the testing phase and are not standard yet. VERIFY. Stores with structured data and product feeds will be better positioned to adopt them.
How will these protocols work?
- The user asks the AI agent to buy something specific.
- The agent consults catalogs of stores compatible with the protocol.
- Filter, compare and select the best option according to the user's criteria.
- Check availability, price and shipping conditions in real time.
- With user authorization, complete the purchase securely.
What does this mean for Peruvian companies?
Stores that want to be prepared must invest in the structure of their catalog. Agentic commerce protocols will reward stores with clean, up-to-date and well-structured data.
Frequently asked questions
What is UCP?
A protocol that seeks to standardize how AI agents interact with online stores to complete purchases.
Do these protocols already work?
They are in development and testing. Mass adoption has not happened yet.
Conclusion
UCP and ACP are the infrastructure that will enable agentic commerce at scale. Stores that prepare their catalog now will have an advantage when these protocols become widespread.
Do you want to prepare your store for the future of e-commerce? At Wallpay we develop online stores with architecture prepared for commerce with AI. Request an initial diagnosis.
Sources consulted: Google—Agentic Commerce · OpenAI — Buy in ChatGPT.
