PayPal launches AI features to streamline small business payments

PayPal has launched a new suite of AI-driven commerce services designed to help small businesses connect with customers and streamline operations. The initiative, called agentic commerce, combines PayPal’s trusted payments infrastructure with AI-powered product discovery and order management, providing merchants with tools to stay competitive.

With partnerships across platforms including Wix, Cymbio, BigCommerce, Feedonomics, and Shopware, PayPal’s services enable seamless integration into emerging AI shopping channels such as Perplexity. This allows merchants to make their products more discoverable while maintaining control over fulfillment, inventory, and customer communication.

The new offerings include two main features: agent ready and store sync. Agent ready allows businesses to accept payments through AI-driven interfaces without additional technical setup. Payments come with built-in fraud detection, buyer protection, and dispute resolution, providing security and peace of mind. Store sync enables product catalogs to become discoverable across multiple AI platforms. Merchants retain control over customer insights and brand visibility while gaining exposure on new shopping surfaces.

Small business owners can expect several key advantages. Integration is fast, allowing catalogs to reach AI channels quickly. Product discovery and conversions can improve as AI surfaces provide proactive engagement with potential buyers. A single integration can expand visibility across multiple platforms simultaneously, offering broader reach without added technical complexity.

Despite these opportunities, small business owners should consider potential challenges. Adapting to AI-driven processes may require new marketing and customer service strategies. Some merchants might face technical hurdles during integration, particularly those without strong IT support. Increased competition could also arise as more businesses adopt AI commerce tools, making innovation and speed critical.

PayPal has begun enrolling merchants for store sync, which will be available soon. Agent ready is expected to launch in early 2026. These tools signal a shift toward greater AI adoption in commerce, giving small businesses a chance to enhance customer engagement, optimize operations, and prepare for the future of retail.