The RealReal Tightens AI Agents' Access to Its Site

The RealReal strengthens its anti-bot defense to complicate purchases made by AI agents. Its Chief Technology Officer claims that logging in, adding items to the cart, and completing a purchase are now much more difficult for these agents, even though they can still point to product pages. This update comes as shopping agents proliferate, with Meta's Muse claiming 10 million downloads in 40 days and an average cart value of $200, while some retailers, including Amazon, are already blocking automated purchases.

Retailers Block Purchases by Agents and Meta Promotes Muse

Retailers, including Amazon, have acknowledged that mediation by chatbots can disrupt their revenues, particularly advertising, and have blocked purchases made by agents on their sites. As internet users shift away from direct access to stores in favor of assistants, companies find themselves one step further from their customers. At the same time, Meta highlights the traction of Muse, with 10 million downloads in the U.S. in 40 days and a usage focused on shopping, with an average cart value of $200 in its last quarter.

The RealReal Tightens Its Anti-Bot Protection and Sets Limits

The RealReal indicates that it has hardened its defense configuration against bots: access by agents, adding items to the cart, and finalizing payments are now much more difficult. However, agents still retain the ability to surface listings and direct users to product pages. The company plans to further strengthen its protections as AI-driven online commerce evolves. It had announced the update of its anti-bot system to complicate purchases by AI agents, while Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

20-Minute Reservations: An Exploitable Mechanism by Agents

On The RealReal, an item placed in a cart is reserved for 20 minutes and unavailable to other buyers. AI agents can be configured to automatically re-add items when the time expires, which can block access for others for hours. An influx of agents on mainstream platforms could thus disrupt or complicate mechanisms that buyers take for granted, such as these reservations. Where a hesitant human might eventually abandon these repetitive tasks, an agent can execute them tirelessly, a capability now within reach of millions of consumers. Retailers are adapting to this new usage, as agents are promoted as versatile assistants also capable of managing purchases.