ChatGPT apps are about to be the next big distribution channel: Here’s how to build one
ChatGPT apps are about to be the next big distribution channel: Here’s how to build one  
Podcast: Lenny's Reads
Published On: Tue Jan 20 2026
Description: Colin Matthews, shares how ChatGPT apps are emerging as a powerful new distribution channel. In this episode, Colin shares how discovery will become contextual inside ChatGPT, what the architecture looks like, and why ChatGPT apps represent a rare distribution opportunity. He also covers two fast paths you can take to build and deploy your first ChatGPT app.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why chat-native apps could change the tech ecosystem• How users will discover apps contextually inside ChatGPT• The three UI modes for ChatGPT apps• The “one widget per message” constraint• How tools, widgets, and MCP fit together• Two build paths: Replit and ChippyReferences:• Adobe• AllTrails• Anthropic• Apple• Booking.com• Bolt• Canva• ChatPRD• Chippy• Colin Matthews• Coursera• Datavant• Descript• Devin• DoorDash• Expedia• Figma• Gamma• GitHub• Granola• Instacart• Linear• LinkedIn• Lovable• Magic Patterns• Maven• Mobbin• n8n• OpenAI• Perplexity• PostHog• Railway• Raycast• Replit• Shopify• Spotify• Stripe Atlas• Substack• Superhuman• Vercel• Warp• Wispr Flow• ZillowRead the newsletterhttps://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/chatgpt-apps-are-about-to-be-theSubscribe to Lenny’s Newsletterhttps://www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribeSubscribe• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lennysreads• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lennys-reads/id1810314693• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IIunA06qMtrcQLfypTooj• Substack: https://lennysreads.com/Follow Lenny• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/• Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@lennyspodcastAboutWelcome to Lenny's Reads, where every week you’ll find a fresh audio version of my newsletter about building product, driving growth, and accelerating your career, read to you by the soothing voice of Lennybot. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com