OpenAI has just announced the launch of "ChatGPT Search," an evolution of its AI chatbot that integrates real-time search capabilities. This new feature allows users to receive immediate, context-rich responses complete with links to relevant sources, bridging the gap between traditional search engines and conversational interfaces.
Designed to provide accurate information instantly, ChatGPT Search reduces the need for multiple searches, allowing ChatGPT to browse the web and pull real-time data such as sports scores, stock prices, news, and weather updates. By combining the conversational flexibility of ChatGPT with precise search capabilities, users can simply ask a question in natural language and receive a detailed response with reliable source links.
Traditional search can be time-consuming, often requiring sifting through multiple sources to get accurate information. ChatGPT Search streamlines this by providing direct answers to queries like weather forecasts or restaurant recommendations, while also enabling follow-up questions for deeper insight.
OpenAI has taken significant steps to ensure that ChatGPT Search sources are legitimate. It has partnered with companies such as Vox Media and Reuters, obtaining permissions for their content to be used in responses, with additional contributions from other major news outlets like Associated Press and Axel Springer.
ChatGPT now provides more external links than ever before, with a new “Sources” button at the end of responses. Clicking this button opens a sidebar listing the pages used to generate the reply, providing users with transparency on sources.
Currently, ChatGPT Search is available to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus and Team versions across platforms, including the web, Android, and iOS, with plans to make it available to free users in the coming months.
A Smarter Search with ChatGPT: A Potential Disruptor to Google
This new feature lets users search the web within ChatGPT, delivering instant, accurate answers along with relevant web links. Traditionally, users would rely on search engines like Google and Bing to fulfill this role, but ChatGPT's conversational, real-time search approach offers a novel alternative.
ChatGPT can initiate a web search either automatically based on user prompts or manually via a new search icon. The feature is accessible via the website chatgpt.com from various browsers, and also through the ChatGPT app on mobile and desktop devices.
Using ChatGPT Search as the Default Search Engine
Users can now set ChatGPT Search as the default search engine in Chrome by installing a dedicated extension from OpenAI. Once installed, users can search directly from the browser's address bar. This feature is currently available to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers and those who registered for the SearchGPT waitlist, with organizational accounts, such as business and educational users, gaining access in the coming weeks. OpenAI has committed to a gradual rollout for free account holders in the months ahead.
ChatGPT’s search feature is designed to streamline the search process by delivering helpful answers more effectively, eliminating the need for multiple searches and extensive filtering to find reliable information. Now, ChatGPT users can engage in natural, conversational interactions, ask follow-up questions, and receive contextually relevant answers.
OpenAI has also partnered with leading news and data providers to ensure that users receive updated information on topics like weather, stocks, sports, news, and maps.
A Direct Challenge to Google’s Search Dominance
By entering the online search market, ChatGPT represents a major shift and a potential threat to Google’s longstanding dominance in this space. However, other companies, such as Perplexity, have already introduced AI-driven search services, while Google and Microsoft are both working to integrate AI technologies into their search engines.
Recently, Google also launched AI-powered “Search Summaries” globally, aiming to remain competitive in an evolving market shaped by AI innovations.
