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OpenAI dots

OpenAI dots and local businesses, what we know so far

OpenAI launched dots on September 29, 2026. A dot is an always-on agent inside ChatGPT with its own cloud computer and browser. It keeps working in the background and reaches out when it needs a decision. This page separates what OpenAI has confirmed from what it has not, and says what a local business can do today. We have not tested dots yet, and we will publish what we find when we do.

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What OpenAI has confirmed

  1. 01

    An agent with its own computer and browser

    OpenAI describes a dot as an "always-on agent that keeps work moving across your tools and projects." It runs in the cloud, researches, analyzes data and can sign into websites in a private browser session.

  2. 02

    It connects to apps and channels

    Dots use connected plugins such as Gmail, Google Drive and GitHub with the permissions you already gave them, and you can reach one in ChatGPT, Slack, Teams or by voice call.

  3. 03

    You stay in control of actions

    A dot can decide on its own within the rules you set, or ask for your approval first.

  4. 04

    Who has it

    ChatGPT Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 for adults outside the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, plus Business Premium and Enterprise worldwide, where Enterprise admins must turn it on. OpenAI says it is rolling out gradually.

What is not known yet

OpenAI has not said that dots call, message or place orders with local businesses, and it has published no program, listing or feed for businesses to join. There is no way to sign a business up for dots.

OpenAI has also not said which search or map sources a dot uses when it researches a local business. Anyone claiming to know how dots rank businesses is guessing. So are we, until we can run our own questions through one.

What a local business can do now

A dot researches with a browser, the way the assistants we already measure do. In our Picks Index those assistants read the business's own website for most of the picks they made, and they passed on businesses for reasons a browser can see.

  1. 01

    Put the deciding facts on your own site

    Price or diagnostic fee, service area by town, hours and when you can come, license number and warranty, in plain text an agent can read.

  2. 02

    Make the booking or quote form work for an agent

    An agent with a browser can fill in a form for its user. A clear online form with the fields it needs is the practical path to being chosen and contacted.

  3. 03

    Keep your profiles consistent

    The same name, address, phone, hours and services on your site, your Google and Bing profiles, BBB and the review sites the assistants cite.

  4. 04

    Grow real reviews

    In our data the assistants separated picks from rejects by how many reviews backed a business, not by a star rating that was the same for both.

How we will measure dots

Every month we run the questions customers ask through Grok Bot, Meta Muse and Instinct and publish every answer. When we have access to dots, we will ask them the same questions in the same markets, record the pages they open and who they choose, and publish the results next to the others.

Questions we get asked

What is OpenAI dots?

An always-on agent inside ChatGPT, launched September 29, 2026. Each dot has its own cloud computer and browser, connects to your apps through plugins, keeps working in the background and asks you when it needs a decision.

Who can use dots?

OpenAI lists ChatGPT Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 for adults outside the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, and Business Premium and Enterprise worldwide, with Enterprise off until an admin enables it. It is rolling out gradually.

How do I get my business into dots?

You cannot sign up. OpenAI has published no business program, listing or feed for dots. A dot researches the web with a browser, so the way in is what already works with AI assistants. Clear facts on your own site, consistent profiles, real reviews and a form an agent can use.

Can a dot call or order from my business?

OpenAI has not said so. Calls in dots are you calling your dot. A dot can use a browser and sign into websites, so an online quote or appointment form is the concrete thing to get right.

Does dots replace Google?

No. It searches and browses on its user's behalf. The change for a business is that the agent reads the pages and chooses, and the customer may never see a list of results.

How is dots different from ChatGPT search or agent mode?

Dots persist. They remember preferences, keep working in the background, follow up and act across apps. OpenAI has not said whether they find local businesses differently from ChatGPT search.

How do dots compare with Meta Muse and Grok Bot?

Muse is aimed at consumers and dots at professionals and teams, according to launch coverage. We already record how Muse, Grok Bot and Instinct choose local businesses, and each weighs something different. Dots join the study when we have access.

Have you tested dots?

Not yet. Everything on this page about dots comes from OpenAI's own documentation or is marked as unknown. We will publish our own results when we can run our questions through a dot.

Your next step

See how today's AI assistants choose in your market

Dots are new. Grok Bot, Meta Muse and Instinct are already answering your customers. Get a free report on what they say about your business.

Or write to Greg at greg@pickedbyagents.com.