Microsoft Launches NLWeb to Simplify AI Chatbot Integration on Websites

Microsoft has unveiled NLWeb, an open-source project aimed at simplifying the integration of AI-powered chatbots into websites. Announced at Build 2025, NLWeb allows developers to embed a conversational interface—a text input field and submission button—on their web pages with just a few lines of code. This interface can connect to any AI model of the developer’s choice and utilize their own proprietary data to provide tailored user interactions.

For example, a retailer could deploy NLWeb to create a chatbot that assists customers in selecting clothing for specific occasions or trips. Similarly, a cooking website might build a bot that recommends complementary dishes based on a user’s chosen recipe. This flexibility enables a wide range of industries to enhance customer engagement through personalized AI-driven conversations.

An important feature of NLWeb is its compatibility with Anthropic’s MCP (Model-Content Protocol) standard, which facilitates seamless connectivity between AI models and the data systems where content resides. Websites built with NLWeb can optionally make their content discoverable and accessible to AI platforms supporting MCP, enabling richer, more semantic interactions between users and web content.

Microsoft envisions NLWeb playing a transformative role similar to HTML’s impact on the web by enabling a new agentic web where users interact directly with content in a meaningful, conversational manner. While Microsoft has not explicitly confirmed, NLWeb’s origins may trace back to technology developed by OpenAI, Microsoft’s close partner, which had been working on similar chatbot integration tools with companies like Condé Nast and Redfin.

Initially pitched by OpenAI as a way for brands to embed ChatGPT-like conversational features on their websites, the project faced technical challenges and delays. Now, under Microsoft’s stewardship and rebranded as NLWeb, the technology is ready for broader adoption, offering a streamlined, flexible solution for developers and businesses eager to harness AI chatbots to improve user experience and engagement.

NLWeb’s launch marks a significant step toward democratizing AI chatbot deployment on the web, lowering the barrier for companies to offer intelligent, conversational interfaces that leverage their unique data assets. This innovation promises to enhance personalization, customer support, and interactive content delivery across numerous sectors, from retail and hospitality to education and media.