ChatGPT Search: A New Challenger to Google's Search Dominance

ChatGPT Search Review: Will it Surpass Google?

The internet has long been dominated by Google, a major company that has established its authority in online searches. However, a new contender, ChatGPT, is entering the arena. By utilizing advanced AI technology, ChatGPT offers users a fresh approach to online searching. Now, people must consider whether this new option can compete with the well-established presence of Google. The language processing technology powers search in ChatGPT. Rather than a list of links, users are given conversational and direct answers to their questions in search in ChatGPT. The innovation represents a combination of deep learning and a natural understanding of the language to provide almost human-like responses. Such an approach emphasizes the need to make information concise, accurate, and contextual, with the desire to eliminate most of the pain points people may have in traditional search engines.

ChatGPT search is now free and it's coming for Google

ChatGPT's AI search engine is now available to all users, following its initial rollout to paid subscribers in October. OpenAI unveiled this broader access during its "12 Days of OpenAI" livestream event on December 16, 2024. The update introduces enhanced features for both desktop and mobile, transforming how ChatGPT serves information from the web. The search functionality includes several new improvements aimed at streamlining user experience. ChatGPT can automatically determine which inquiries to route through its search engine or allow users to manually initiate web searches with a new "Search the web" icon. The updated interface now presents summarized answers combined with embedded multimedia content, such as images and videos. The introduction of a more traditional search engine design for mobile users permits the display of results accompanied by images, ratings, and hours of operation for local businesses. Users can also access additional information -- like detailed business profiles and maps -- directly within the application. This shift brings a more familiar browsing experience, enhancing user engagement. ChatGPT has also heightened response speed, particularly for searches related to specific types of sites, such as "hotel booking websites." In these instances, ChatGPT will now present relevant links before providing further details, allowing users to quickly access what they need. Another noteworthy feature, available to paid users, is the Advanced Voice Mode. This functionality enables users to interact with ChatGPT in real-time, allowing for dynamic conversation. When employing this mode, the chatbot can present real-time web information tailored to user queries. The mobile experience has seen a significant upgrade. Users on iOS will find an organized layout that includes vital information such as addresses -- integrated with Apple Maps -- and contact numbers. This structured presentation aims to reduce the time users spend searching for essential data, making the experience more efficient. The rollout maintains an emphasis on user feedback, which OpenAI has considered to enhance the relevance of search results. The company incorporated insights on how ChatGPT determines pertinent articles, the ideal summary length, and the selection of quotes utilized in responses. Despite these advancements, some challenges persist. Publishers have raised concerns regarding AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT Search, arguing that they risk cannibalizing traffic to original content sources. There are reports indicating that such AI integrations could lead to a reduction of up to 25% in publisher traffic as users rely more on summarized information rather than visiting websites for full articles. ChatGPT's evolution includes a fine-tuned version of OpenAI's GPT-4o model. The model's refinement, coupled with a commitment to addressing feedback, positions ChatGPT as a competitive alternative in the realm of web search.

ChatGPT's Google Search rival expands to free users, and it's too good to be true

OpenAI is also integrating the feature into Advanced Voice, unlocking real-time results during audio conversations. Back in late October, OpenAI rolled out its web search feature (aka SearchGPT) to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. For those unfamiliar, the integration gives the AI chatbot access to real-time information, letting users browse current news, world events, etc. To serve more users, the company is now expanding ChatGPT search to all accounts -- including free ones. OpenAI has announced that all signed-in ChatGPT users can now rely on its web search functionality for free. The perk is integrated into the company's GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini models and is ideal for checking up-to-date news, weather forecasts, events, stocks, sports, and more. Interested users can access it using the official ChatGPT mobile app and website. What sets ChatGPT's execution and Google Search apart is the minimalist, ad-free user interface OpenAI has opted for. The chatbot provides AI-generated summaries of browsed content, complete with citations linking to the original sources. Unlike Google, it doesn't clutter the first page with sponsored content that often isn't the best or most relevant option to the user. In the included screenshots, for example, Google Search filled my entire screen with ads, and I had to scroll down to find the desired results. On the other hand, ChatGPT listed high-quality options and summarized what each provides. So, with OpenAI now offering this feature for free, certain users may ditch Google Search. Beyond that, ChatGPT is also baking real-time web results into its Advanced Voice feature. Before this integration, audio conversations with the chatbot were limited to knowledge obtained from the model's training, barring it from accessing updated information. To see it in action, you can watch the official demo embedded above.

Is ChatGPT Search Better Than Google? I Tried the New Search Engine to Find Out.

I tried out ChatGPT Search to see how it compares to a search engine like Google. Imagine typing a question into a search engine and getting an in-depth, conversational answer with links to sources. There's no need to click on multiple websites to find an answer; it's all laid out for you. That's the reality as of Monday when ChatGPT Search went live for all users with an OpenAI account. OpenAI first introduced Search in late October as a way to get answers to time-sensitive questions quickly but limited the feature to paying users only at the time. Since its initial release, OpenAI has made Search "better" meaning it is "faster" and open to everyone, Kevin Weil, product lead at OpenAI, said in an announcement video. Related: Google's Biggest Bet Is Bringing AI to Search, Says CIO This move puts ChatGPT into direct competition with Google as the place people go for answers to timely questions -- but how well does it stack up? I tried ChatGPT Search to find out. First, I logged in to the web version of ChatGPT, chatgpt.com. There are two ways to search. The first is to type in a time-bound question or prompt into the "Message ChatGPT" box, which will prompt the AI chatbot to automatically search the web. When I typed in "What is going on in NYC this weekend" ChatGPT knew to search for answers instead of coming up with one itself. In a few seconds, it searched five sites and came up with a conversational answer about what was happening in the city this weekend. Another way to access ChatGPT Search is to type in a query and click the globe icon that stands for "Search the web." I typed in "How many users does ChatGPT have as of December 2024?" and clicked the globe before hitting enter. Almost immediately an answer came up that linked to multiple sources. According to the data reporting site Demand Sage, ChatGPT has 300 million weekly active users and about 123.5 million daily active users. I can hover over the source to get a glimpse of the webpage that the statistics came from, and I can click the source to be taken directly there too. I was pleasantly surprised by how timely the answers for ChatGPT Search were and how quickly the results populated. It all seemed designed to keep users talking to the AI chatbot for longer stretches of time, with little need to click away to other sites. Related: Would You Pay $200 for ChatGPT? OpenAI's New Reasoning Model Has a Hefty Price Tag. One feature that ChatGPT Search lacks, though, is the ability to cite multiple sources for one piece of information. For example, other sites besides Demand Sage had the statistic that OpenAI has 300 million weekly active users, but OpenAI picked Demand Sage over the others. I would want more transparency into how the chatbot picks sites, and maybe more than one site referenced for one piece of information. It seems like ChatGPT is becoming more like Google and vice versa. Google now shows experimental AI overviews, mimicking ChatGPT's written-out answers, while ChatGPT is searching the web for answers. Google has more links and references to sources, but ChatGPT links to sources more cleanly. Not yet. For me, the variety of sources that Google offers is more valuable than the current ChatGPT offerings -- it's too limited with its sourcing, for now. As ChatGPT adds more sources and grows in functionality, though, it may grow to be a stronger Google competitor. Related: ChatGPT Is Roasting Instagram Profiles in a Hilarious New Social Media Trend -- Here's How to Get Access

ChatGPT's Search Engine Is Rolling Out to More People

I Used AI Chatbots for a Week to Answer Common Questions -- Here's What Happened Generative AI chatbots have a lot of potential, and from the get-go, companies like Microsoft and Google saw its potential to aid in internet searching. ChatGPT has entered this field too, and its Search feature is now available for everyone. OpenAI has announced that its AI-powered search engine, previously available only to paid subscribers, is now rolling out to all users. The search engine, integrated into ChatGPT, allows users to search for information in a more conversational and intuitive way. Unlike traditional search engines, ChatGPT can understand complex questions and provide summarized answers, pulling from a vast knowledge base. In addition to the search engine rollout, the mobile version has also now been optimized to provide a more user-friendly experience. When searching for something like a restaurant, ChatGPT now displays a list of results with images, ratings, and hours of operation, and you can click on a location to get more details and even view a map with directions. To speed up searches for specific types of sites, like hotel booking websites, ChatGPT now surfaces relevant links before generating a detailed response. This allows users to quickly access the information they need. Additionally, ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, available to paid users, can now provide up-to-date information from the web using voice commands. Both of these additions are pretty important. The mobile version changes are interesting, and the new search engine in particular is a pretty cool experience -- certainly a lot different from traditional search engines -- and you now have the chance of trying it out without having to shell out $20 per month for the paid version of ChatGPT (or a crazy $200 per month for the new, more premium tier that has just been rolled out). You can check if it's live for you by logging into ChatGPT and clicking the Search button (it looks like a globe icon). Source: The Verge

ChatGPT search opens to all users in challenge to Google

OpenAI on Monday said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance. The San Francisco-based tech firm had beefed up its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot with search engine capabilities in late October, but made the feature available only to paying subscribers. The newly public feature enables users to receive "fast, timely answers" with links to relevant web sources -- information that previously required using a traditional search engine, the company said. The upgrade to ChatGPT enables the AI chatbot to provide real-time information from across the web. "We're bringing search to all logged-in free users of ChatGPT," OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil said in a video posted at YouTube. "That means it'll be available globally on every platform where you use ChatGPT." Examples of the new interface demonstrated by OpenAI resembled search results provided by Google and Google Maps, though without the clutter of advertising. They also appeared similarly to the interface of Perplexity, another AI-powered search engine that offers a more conversational version of Google by featuring the sources it referenced in the answer. "We're really just making the ChatGPT experience that you know better with up-to-date information from the web," ChatGPT Search product lead Adam Fry said in the video. "We're rolling this out to hundreds of millions of users, starting today." Rather than launching a separate product, OpenAI has integrated search directly into ChatGPT. Users can enable the search feature by default or activate it manually via a web search icon. Since their launch, data on AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude have been limited by time cutoffs, so the answers they provided were not up-to-date. In contrast, Google and Microsoft both combine AI-generated answers with web results. The addition of online search to ChatGPT will raise more questions about the startup's link to Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, which is also trying to expand the reach of its Bing search engine against Google. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has set his company on a path to become an internet powerhouse. He successfully catapulted the company to a staggering $157 billion valuation in a recent round of fundraising that included Microsoft, Tokyo-based conglomerate SoftBank and AI chipmaker Nvidia as investors. Enticing new users with search engine capabilities will increase the company's computing needs and costs, which are enormous.

OpenAI brings its AI-powered web search tool to more ChatGPT users

By default, ChatGPT will automatically determine which questions to route through ChatGPT Search, or users can tap a new "Search the web" icon in the ChatGPT interface. ChatGPT Search shows summarized answers from different online sources, as well as "rich" content like embedded photos and YouTube videos. ChatGPT Search launched in October as an evolution of OpenAI's SearchGPT prototype, unveiled this summer. Powered by a fine-tuned version of OpenAI's GPT-4o model, ChatGPT Search serves up information from the web -- like sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more -- along with links to relevant sources, at which point users can ask follow-up questions to refine their search. ChatGPT Search was initially only available for premium ChatGPT subscribers. Now, non-paying users can access it, as well. ChatGPT Search has also been made "faster," OpenAI said during a livestream Monday, and can now be set as the default search engine for any web browser. In addition, there's an improved ChatGPT Search experience for mobile. On mobile, users can now see, for example, better-organized business info, including addresses (in Apple Maps on the iOS ChatGPT app) and phone numbers. Lastly, ChatGPT Search is now available in Advanced Voice Mode, OpenAI's real-time conversational feature for ChatGPT. In the coming days, users will be able to access up-to-date web info while using Advanced Voice Mode on mobile or desktop. My colleague Max Zeff found ChatGPT Search to be a mixed bag when he tested it earlier this year. OpenAI is clearly intent on refining the feature, though, which it sees as a key avenue for growth. Some publishers have protested AI-powered search tools such as ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews, saying they threaten to cannibalize traffic to the sites from which they source their information. One study found that AI Overviews alone could negatively affect about 25% of publisher traffic due to the de-emphasis on links to webpages. OpenAI says it has incorporated feedback from partners about how ChatGPT Search decides which articles are most relevant to a query, as well as determining the summary length and quotations for articles.

ChatGPT Now Lets You Search the Web With Your Voice

OpenAI is now rolling out ChatGPT's Search function to all logged-in users for free after first launching it for paid Plus and Team subscribers in October. Advanced Voice Mode has also been added to ChatGPT Search, letting paying users talk to ChatGPT's audio personas for a more conversational search experience. ChatGPT Search appears via a globe icon and can relay web-based information. The AI-powered search tool will provide relevant links to sources when it answers a query. According to OpenAI, its AI search engine can deliver up-to-date "sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more." But the chatbot has provided incorrect responses and fake citations in the past, so fact-checking is highly recommended (especially if you're planning to attend real-life events it suggests, for example). To begin a voice search, click the wave icon located on the prompt bar. When your conversation is over, a transcript will be available in a separate thread. In addition to its wider search engine rollout, OpenAI has updated the ChatGPT mobile app. Searches for spots like hotels, local attractions, and restaurants will now show results with images, ratings, and open hours. These announcements are part of OpenAI's ongoing holiday-inspired marathon, which has already included the rollout of its text-to-video generator named Sora and a $200 ChatGPT Pro tier. If you're tired of Google, you can make ChatGPT your default search engine if you use Google's Chrome browser. To do this, install the ChatGPT Search extension from the Chrome extension store. All subsequent browser searches will then open within a ChatGPT interface. If you'd like to go back to your previous search engine, you can just disable or remove the extension.

ChatGPT Search Goes Wide, Now Available to Free Users

OpenAI is opening up the search product as it takes aim at Google. As Google continues to slowly erode the quality of its search engine, OpenAI appears interested in challenging the company's ongoing market dominance. The AI firm announced Monday that it is opening access to ChatGPT Search to all users after previously hiding the feature behind a subscription paywall. The announcement, which is the latest of OpenAI's "12 Days of OpenAI" event that has seen the announcement of several new products including its Sora video generator and $200 per month Pro subscription plan, will allow anyone logged into their ChatGPT account on desktop or mobile to access the search feature. The company also said users will be able to select ChatGPT Search as their default search engine in their web browser of choice. ChatGPT Search has received some rave reviews from early adopters. The platform is trained primarily on data provided by publications that OpenAI has partnered with, including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Condé Nast, so theoretically it should be pulling more often from primary sources rather than the type of content slop that makes its way into Google's AI summaries. But it has plenty of skeptics, too. Michael Ann DeVito, a professor of computer sciences and communication studies at Northeastern University, called into question the accuracy of the platform, telling Northeastern Global News, "There’s still no actual intelligence, just context-free pattern matching based on language, so there’s still a pretty good chance that some of what gets spit out is going to be misleading or outright nonsense.†Research conducted by Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism found that assessment to be about right. They tasked ChatGPT search with identifying 200 quotes, asking the platform to provide attribution including the publication, publication date, and URL. It failed its mission 153 times. Troublingly, the researchers also found that the service is confidently wrong, spitting out its responses with assured language a majority of the time, only admitting to being unable to provide accurate information. Accuracy is kind of a big deal when it comes to search. And people are already getting a bad taste in their mouths from other AI-infused search products. Microsoft made a big splash when it announced it would boost its search engine with AI-sourced results and a chatbot-like interface, but it failed to actually gain muchâ€"if anyâ€"market share. A CivicScience poll found that about half of all people are straight-up uninterested in AI-assisted search, compared to just one-quarter who would actually be interested in embracing it. A Pew Research Center poll found that more than half of Americans are concerned about the increased use of AI, compared to just 10% who say they are more excited than concerned. Maybe ChatGPT Search is the one that turns it around by confidently pointing people toward the wrong information. But there does now appear to be a clear opportunity in the search space, as there is a distinct lack of options that don't suck.

ChatGPT search opens to all users in challenge to Google

San Francisco (AFP) - OpenAI on Monday said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance. The San Francisco-based tech firm had beefed up its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot with search engine capabilities in late October, but made the feature available only to paying subscribers. The newly public feature enables users to receive "fast, timely answers" with links to relevant web sources -- information that previously required using a traditional search engine, the company said. The upgrade to ChatGPT enables the AI chatbot to provide real-time information from across the web. "We're bringing search to all logged-in free users of ChatGPT," OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil said in a video posted at YouTube. "That means it'll be available globally on every platform where you use ChatGPT." Examples of the new interface demonstrated by OpenAI resembled search results provided by Google and Google Maps, though without the clutter of advertising. They also appeared similarly to the interface of Perplexity, another AI-powered search engine that offers a more conversational version of Google by featuring the sources it referenced in the answer. "We're really just making the ChatGPT experience that you know better with up-to-date information from the web," ChatGPT Search product lead Adam Fry said in the video. "We're rolling this out to hundreds of millions of users, starting today." Rather than launching a separate product, OpenAI has integrated search directly into ChatGPT. Users can enable the search feature by default or activate it manually via a web search icon. Since their launch, data on AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude have been limited by time cutoffs, so the answers they provided were not up-to-date. In contrast, Google and Microsoft both combine AI-generated answers with web results. The addition of online search to ChatGPT will raise more questions about the startup's link to Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, which is also trying to expand the reach of its Bing search engine against Google. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has set his company on a path to become an internet powerhouse. He successfully catapulted the company to a staggering $157 billion valuation in a recent round of fundraising that included Microsoft, Tokyo-based conglomerate SoftBank and AI chipmaker Nvidia as investors. Enticing new users with search engine capabilities will increase the company's computing needs and costs, which are enormous.

ChatGPT search opens to all users in challenge to Google

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - OpenAI on Monday said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance. The San Francisco-based tech firm had beefed up its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot with search engine capabilities in late October, but made the feature available only to paying subscribers. The newly public feature enables users to receive "fast, timely answers" with links to relevant web sources -- information that previously required using a traditional search engine, the company said. The upgrade to ChatGPT enables the AI chatbot to provide real-time information from across the web. "We're bringing search to all logged-in free users of ChatGPT," OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil said in a video posted at YouTube. "That means it'll be available globally on every platform where you use ChatGPT." Examples of the new interface demonstrated by OpenAI resembled search results provided by Google and Google Maps, though without the clutter of advertising. They also appeared similarly to the interface of Perplexity, another AI-powered search engine that offers a more conversational version of Google by featuring the sources it referenced in the answer. "We're really just making the ChatGPT experience that you know better with up-to-date information from the web," ChatGPT Search product lead Adam Fry said in the video. "We're rolling this out to hundreds of millions of users, starting today." Rather than launching a separate product, OpenAI has integrated search directly into ChatGPT. Users can enable the search feature by default or activate it manually via a web search icon. Since their launch, data on AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude have been limited by time cutoffs, so the answers they provided were not up-to-date. In contrast, Google and Microsoft both combine AI-generated answers with web results. The addition of online search to ChatGPT will raise more questions about the startup's link to Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, which is also trying to expand the reach of its Bing search engine against Google. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has set his company on a path to become an internet powerhouse. He successfully catapulted the company to a staggering $157 billion valuation in a recent round of fundraising that included Microsoft, Tokyo-based conglomerate SoftBank and AI chipmaker Nvidia as investors. Enticing new users with search engine capabilities will increase the company's computing needs and costs, which are enormous.

ChatGPT Search expands to all users with new voice and map features

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT Search is now available to all free users. Initially rolled out in October 2024 for paid subscribers, the feature was previously offered through an invitation-only preview called SearchGPT. With this update, OpenAI has made ChatGPT Search publicly accessible, enhancing the user experience. ChatGPT Search allows users to receive fast, up-to-date answers along with links to relevant web sources, a feature traditionally handled by search engines. OpenAI's Chief Product Officer, Kevin Weil, shared the update in a YouTube video, emphasizing the benefit of real-time web information within the AI chatbot. In this updated version, prominent links, such as those from Netflix or travel booking websites, now appear at the top of search results, followed by text-based responses from ChatGPT. A major update is the introduction of voice search for users who have Advanced Voice Mode enabled. This feature can be activated by tapping the audio waveform button in the compose bar. Voice search enables users to request real-time information on various topics, such as travel destinations, weather forecasts, or activity suggestions. ChatGPT's Voice Assistant will respond using one of the ten available voice styles. The update also includes improvements for mobile users. The iOS and Android versions of ChatGPT now integrate with the respective map apps on these devices (Apple Maps and Google Maps). For example, if you search for nearby restaurants, the results will appear directly on the map. For users who set ChatGPT as their default search engine, OpenAI has made browsing faster and more efficient. Additionally, the company has released a Chrome extension that allows users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine for instant answers sourced from trusted websites. ChatGPT Search is now available to all users logged into their accounts on the mobile apps and website. The Advanced Voice Search feature will be gradually rolled out over the next week.

OpenAI makes ChatGPT Search available to everyone starting now

OpenAI is making ChatGPT Search available to all users and search in Voice Mode. Two months ago, ChatGPT Search was launched for ChatGPT Plus users. As of today, it's rolling out to all free users who are logged in. Search with Advanced Voice Mode also now works with ChatGPT Search. Just an hour before OpenAI's announcement, Google unveiled Veo 2, its next-gen text-to-video model. The two companies haven't been shy about their cutthroat rivalry, often shipping similar products within a day (or in this case hours) of each other. Last week, OpenAI launched its AI video generator Sora, vision for Advanced Voice Mode, and a slew of other minor features. Not to be outdone, Google unveiled its latest model Gemini 2.0, which is touted as an "agentic era" model for handling tasks on the user's behalf. By typing a query into the ChatGPT search bar, it will automatically decided whether or not to use the search engine. Search results include previews with images with links, just like you would with traditional search. Within ChatGPT, videos are embedded, so you can watch movie trailers or anything else in the app. Just like Google Search, you can click into search results for more information, without leaving the app. If you're ready to complete your conversion from Google Search to ChatGPT Search, you can also make make ChatGPT Search your default search engine.

You Can Now Use ChatGPT's Search Feature for Free

OpenAI recently added a SearchGPT shortcut on iPhone and iPad OpenAI on Monday announced the rollout of its search engine-based feature to all registered users. Dubbed ChatGPT Search, the feature enables users to find responses to their queries by providing contextual information available on the web, sourced from websites and blogs. The feature was first announced in July when a prototype called SearchGPT was released to a small group of testers. Later, the feature was rolled out to the paid subscribers of the chatbot in November. Now, the AI firm expanded the feature to even the users on the free tier of the platform. On day eight of the company's 12-day feature shipping schedule, OpenAI expanded ChatGPT Search to all users of the AI chatbot. This web search functionality is available within the chatbot's interface and can be triggered both manually and automatically. The AI firm reportedly built its own search engine to reduce reliance on third-party search engines and circumvent issues relating to web crawling. Once users open ChatGPT, whether on the web or mobile apps, they will see a new globe icon next to the 'Attach file' icon in the text field. Tapping the icon activates the web search mode, and the AI only sources data from the web instead of its pretraining and post-training knowledge base. While users can manually activate it, OpenAI highlighted that it will trigger automatically for relevant questions. ChatGPT Search can skim through multiple websites for a query and process information from all of them to present the response in natural language. The feature also shows the source of the information in two ways. After every sentence, wherever the information was used, an icon highlights the particular source. The list of sources is also mentioned at the bottom of the response. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the official handle of OpenAI also highlighted that the ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users will also be able to use Search with Advanced Voice mode. This will be rolled out over the next week. Additionally, OpenAI also announced that it is adding maps to ChatGPT in the mobile apps. With this, users can search for and chat about local restaurants, businesses, and places of attraction. The AI firm claimed that the information displayed on the map will be kept up-to-date.

OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Search Features to Free Users Globally - 12 Days of OpenAI Day 8

If you are searching for an alternative to Google to find your answers and more, you might be interested to know that Open AI has expanded its ChatGPT Search functionality to free users making the AI search feature available worldwide. Have you ever found yourself juggling multiple tabs, apps, or devices just to get the information you need when using traditional search engine methods? Whether it's checking the latest news, planning a trip, or finding a nearby restaurant, the process can feel unnecessarily clunky, filled with advertising and time-consuming. OpenAI's latest updates to ChatGPT aim to change that. By enhancing its search functionality and rolling it out globally to all free users, OpenAI is making it easier than ever to access real-time web information in a way that feels seamless, intuitive, and, dare we say, enjoyable. Previously limited to paid subscribers, these updates are now available to all logged-in free users across web, iOS, and Android platforms. The improvements focus on providing a faster, more intuitive search experience, supported by advanced voice commands, mobile-friendly design, and integrated visual tools. These updates aim to transform how you interact with information, making sure a seamless experience across devices. Imagine being able to ask a question, get instant results, and even follow up with context-aware queries -- all without lifting a finger, thanks to advanced voice commands. Or picture yourself navigating your day with rich visual aids like interactive maps and detailed business info, all optimized for your mobile device. These updates aren't just about making ChatGPT smarter; they're about making your life simpler. In this article, we'll explore how these new features are designed to meet you where you are -- whether you're on the go, multitasking, or just looking for a smoother way to stay informed. Whether you are a free or paid user, the ability to access real-time web information is now at your fingertips. This global rollout ensures that all logged-in users can retrieve up-to-date information quickly and efficiently. From researching breaking news to exploring niche topics or finding business details, the enhanced search functionality is designed to meet your needs with precision. By offering real-time results, ChatGPT enables you to stay informed and make decisions based on the latest available data. OpenAI has prioritized mobile optimization to ensure a seamless experience for users on the go. If you're using a smartphone or tablet, you'll notice faster load times and an interface tailored specifically for smaller screens. Features such as detailed business information, integrated maps, and directions allow you to find what you need without switching between apps. This mobile-first approach ensures that ChatGPT remains a reliable tool for everyday tasks, whether you're commuting, traveling, or simply multitasking. Below are more guides on ChatGPT search functionality from our extensive range of articles. A standout feature of this update is the introduction of advanced voice commands, allowing you to interact with ChatGPT conversationally. By allowing voice mode, you can perform searches hands-free, making the process more natural and convenient. For example, you can ask, "What's the weather forecast for tomorrow?" or "Find the nearest pharmacy," and receive immediate, accurate responses. This feature is particularly useful when typing is inconvenient, such as when driving or cooking, allowing you to stay productive without interruption. ChatGPT can now be set as your default search engine within web browsers, simplifying your navigation experience. This integration allows you to perform searches directly from your browser's search bar, eliminating the need to open a separate app. Whether you're looking for specific websites, general information, or quick answers, this feature saves you time and effort by streamlining the search process. It ensures that ChatGPT becomes an integral part of your online activities, enhancing both speed and accessibility. One of the most notable improvements in ChatGPT's search functionality is its ability to maintain conversational context. This means you can ask follow-up questions without needing to repeat or rephrase your initial query. For instance, after asking, "What are the best tourist attractions in Paris?" you can follow up with, "Which ones are open late?" ChatGPT understands the context of your conversation, making interactions more fluid and efficient. This feature enhances the overall user experience, allowing for more natural and productive exchanges. Search results now include rich visual elements such as images, charts, and embedded maps. These enhancements improve the presentation of information, making it easier for you to interpret and act on the results. For example, if you're searching for local restaurants, the integrated map feature provides detailed, interactive directions and business information. Whether you're planning a trip or exploring nearby services, these visual tools add depth and clarity to your searches, making sure you get the most out of your queries. ChatGPT's search functionality now supports multiple languages, making it a versatile tool for users worldwide. You can perform searches and receive results in the language of your choice, breaking down linguistic barriers. Whether you're learning a new language, seeking translations, or exploring cultural nuances, this feature caters to diverse needs. For example, you can ask for translations of common phrases or inquire about cultural traditions in real-time, making ChatGPT a valuable resource for global communication and learning. OpenAI places a strong emphasis on user feedback to refine and enhance ChatGPT's features. By analyzing input from users like you, the platform evolves continuously to address shortcomings and improve functionality. This iterative approach ensures that the search experience becomes increasingly tailored to your needs over time. Your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the platform, allowing OpenAI to deliver a more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly tool for accessing information. With these updates, ChatGPT positions itself as a versatile and user-friendly AI search tool for accessing real-time information. Whether you're conducting research, planning a trip, or exploring new topics, the enhanced search functionality delivers accurate, timely, and visually engaging results. By integrating advanced features such as voice commands, browser compatibility, and multilingual support, ChatGPT adapts to your lifestyle and preferences. As OpenAI continues to refine the platform based on user feedback, ChatGPT is poised to become an indispensable tool for navigating the fast-paced, information-driven world.

ChatGPT Search Goes Free: OpenAI Challenges Google's Unbroken Search Dominance - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)

On Monday, OpenAI announced that it is extending the ChatGPT Search engine to all users, including those on the free tier. The AI search engine was initially launched for paid subscribers in October. What Happened: As part of its latest announcement under the "12 Days of OpenAI" Livestream, the AI startup also introduced an optimized version of the search feature for mobile users and the ability to search using advanced voice mode. One of the key improvements for mobile search is the presentation of ChatGPT as a conventional search engine. When users search for a specific location, such as restaurants or local attractions, ChatGPT will display a list of results with corresponding images, ratings, and hours of operation. See Also: Trump Transition Team Advocates For Abolishing Car-Crash Reporting Rule, Tesla Stands To Gain: Report Another update aims to speed up ChatGPT search for specific types of sites, like "hotel booking websites." Instead of immediately generating a response, ChatGPT will first present links to websites before providing more detailed information about each option. ChatGPT can now also automatically provide real-time information from the web when using Advanced Voice Mode, although this feature is only available to paid users. OpenAI's ChatGPT has also been gaining traction, with a survey earlier this month revealing that it was the favored search provider for 5% of respondents, an increase from 1% in June. In previous livestreams, OpenAI also announced the launch of its text-to-image model Sora and a $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Why It Matters: OpenAI's SearchGPT has been poised to disrupt Alphabet Inc-owned GOOG GOOGL Google's search empire. In 2023, Google Search accounted for $175.0 billion, or 73.6%, of Alphabet's total advertising revenue, which reached $237.9 billion. ChatGPT Search and Google Search differ in purpose. ChatGPT provides personalized, context-aware responses through conversation, while Google quickly retrieves diverse content using relevance-focused algorithms. Despite real-time search updates, ChatGPT lacks Google's depth and advanced capabilities. Similarly, despite AI Overviews in play, Google Search doesn't offer users the convenience of conversational dialogues. Meanwhile, Google also faces increased competition from Jeff Bezos-backed AI startup Perplexity. This AI-driven search engine has grown substantially, with 250 million questions answered in July, surpassing the 500 million queries it handled the previous year. Read Next: Shiba Inu Burn Rate Surges 3,609% As Dogecoin Whales Move 5.8 Billion DOGE: What Is Going On? Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

I just went hands-on with ChatGPT search on mobile -- here's why I'm ditching Google

With OpenAI's ChatGPT search now available for free to everyone, getting real-time answers has never been easier - especially on mobile. From quick sports updates and shopping deals to understanding a topic while you're out and about, simply hit the globe icon to activate this type of search for personalized queries. Now, instead of sifting through endless search results, I get clear, conversational, and up-to-date responses. Whether I'm texting or choose Advanced Voice with Vision, I get the answers exactly as I want them, tailored to me. Even at this early stage, ChatGPT is so good I don't see the need to use Google as my primary search engine. The following are 7 prompts to try with ChatGPT search on mobile that will save you time, boost productivity and maybe even impress your friends while you're at it. Prompt: What's the latest news happening right now? Staying updated on breaking news or specific topics is as easy as sending a text. For this prompt example, I kept it broad, but you can ask ChatGPT search about any current event because it pulls in real-time headlines and summaries from reliable sources. Whether you're tracking tech advancements, politics or even entertainment gossip, this prompt keeps you informed without digging through multiple news apps. This is especially handy if you're on the go and need quick updates on a topic for work, school, or general curiosity. Personally, I like to use it if I see news on social media and want to learn more about what is going on in the world around me. ChatGPT can quickly summarize top product recommendations from trusted sources, giving you a snapshot of the most affordable and well-rated options. No more hopping between Amazon, Walmart and Reddit reviews to decide the right product for you. I use this feature all the time whether I'm out at the store and searching for deals at home on the couch. Using ChatGPT search on mobile is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers who want quick insights into the best deals available. Prompt: Summarize the key takeaways from this article. I don't always have time to read the news, but I want to stay informed about what's going on. I also have an overwhelming amount of emails from my kids' many teachers. Rather than find myself in a TL;DR situation, ChatGPT simplifies the text for me so I don't miss out on anything I need to know. It's easy to get a summary; just drop in the email or link to an article and in seconds ChatGPT search will extract the most important points into a short, digestible summary. This prompt can be used for news articles, research studies or even opinion pieces to get a quick overview without missing the critical details. Prompt: What's the weather like in [city] this weekend? Checking the weather doesn't have to mean switching apps or typing into a search bar. Now you can get the daily or weekly forecast for your city or any city you wish. This can help as you travel or want to stay informed about the weather in the city of a loved one. I have a cousin in South Korea and often notice the difference in weather from where I live in New Jersey. For fun, I'll ask ChatGPT what the weather is like so I get a better idea of her life overseas. ChatGPT search pulls up accurate forecasts for your destination, including temperatures and precipitation details. Whether you're planning a quick trip or just deciding what to wear, it's a hassle-free way to stay prepared. Prompt: What are the must-see attractions in [city or destination]? Taking a vacation? Need something to do with friends visiting from out of town this weekend? ChatGPT search can act as your virtual tour guide and come to the rescue right from your phone. With the kids out of school for the holiday break, I asked for local activities to help keep them busy. ChatGPT pulled together lists of top landmarks, museums and hidden gems based on real-time recommendations. It can even highlight trending activities or lesser-known spots that other tourists are enjoying. This prompt works equally well for weekend getaways, family vacations, or spontaneous trips, saving you time on research and helping you make the most of your travels. Prompt: Explain [complex topic] in simple terms. If you've ever been caught off guard by a topic of conversation you aren't familiar with, ChatGPT search can come to the rescue. When you need to understand something quickly, ChatGPT can simplify it for you. For example: "Explain blockchain technology in simple terms." The AI will break down the concept into clear, conversational language without overwhelming jargon. It's like having a personal tutor who can explain anything, from quantum physics to financial markets, in plain English. In fact you can even add, "like I'm five years old" to the end of your search to really have the topic broken down for you. This is a great trick to grasp a topic fast without spending hours on research. This is especially helpful for students, professionals, or anyone looking to quickly grasp a topic without spending hours on research. Prompt: Compare [product A] vs. [product B]. When making purchasing decisions, particularly big ones, you can lean on ChatGPT search to help compare products side-by-side. For example, I asked, "What are the differences between the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24?" With this prompt, I got a breakdown of the key features, pros and cons, and relevant reviews for both products. The ability to ask questions like this makes it easier to see which option is better suited to your needs, whether you're buying tech gadgets, appliances, or cars. For shoppers trying to avoid decision fatigue, this prompt is a lifesaver. The real power of ChatGPT search on mobile lies in its ability to blend conversational AI with real-time, reliable information at a speed much faster than Google. Because the answer to each query is an actual response rather than several links to further search through, users get the answers they want faster. These prompts let you quickly access news, simplify your shopping, get travel advice, and even understand tough concepts -- all within a single chat interface. Whether you're a busy parent trying to plan a family trip, a student researching for assignments, or someone looking to simplify their shopping experience, ChatGPT search makes it easier and faster. Using ChatGPT as your search tool can transform your mobile browsing experience into something smarter, quicker, and far more intuitive.

ChatGPT brings its conversational search engine to everyone

Day eight of the 12 Days of OpenAI was shorter than the previous days by several minutes, but the brevity fits with the ChatGPT Search news OpenAI CPO Kevin Weil and his team unveiled. Unlike the Projects feature unveiled on Friday, most people using the Internet understand the concept of searching for things online. Still, it wasn't without some exciting news for ChatGPT users, especially those not paying for a subscription. Only ChatGPT Plus subscribers had access to the search feature when it launched as a beta a few months ago, but now it's universally accessible if you log in to your account. And it's not just the same ChatGPT Search that subscribers have played with until now. OpenAI claims the search performs better and more accurately than before. And, when you ask a question, the AI will decide if it needs to pull fresh data from the web or answer based on what it already knows. You get results with web previews, images, and even videos that play right in the chat, which might put an end to tab-hopping. ChatGPT mobile app users will also notice that the search feature integrates more smoothly into Android and iOS. The iOS version even links with Apple Maps to provide directions. Furthermore, ChatGPT Search now works with voice mode on the mobile app, so you can get the AI to search online without typing. Say, for instance, you're in the mood for sushi. You can use ChatGPT as your local guide and ask, "Where's a good sushi spot nearby?" ChatGPT will give you options, complete with photos, links, and directions, linking to Apple Maps on iOS. Because ChatGPT looks up recent information online, it can even work for seasonal outlets. Ask, "What time does the Christmas market close?" and ChatGPT will fetch up-to-date hours and details so you're not left out in the cold. Or if you're wrapped in a blanket on the couch, you can ask, "What's a good comedy movie on Netflix?" and even watch the trailer directly in the chat. Thanks to the voice mode connection, the search can be done hands-free. So, if you're hands-deep in a cooking project and need a quick recipe or measurement conversion, just ask ChatGPT out loud. It'll give you answers while you stir the pot. ChatGPT Search may not immediately replace the classic search engines, but its conversational style brings something fresh. Of course, OpenAI isn't the only one pursuing AI-powered search. That's the main use of tools like Perplexity, which Claude and, naturally, Google Gemini have variations on as well. Still, ChatGPT Search is a solid addition to the 12 Days of OpenAI, which promises a more developer-focused announcement tomorrow. We will see if the company can search for anything more exciting to close out the rest of the event this week.

You can now try out ChatGPT Search for free

As part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" event, OpenAI has yet another update for ChatGPT, this time bringing its Search feature over to the free tier. The Google Search alternative was previously only for paid subscribers in the ChatGPT Plus or Pro tiers. "We rolled it out for paid users about two months ago," Kevin Weil, OpenAI's chief product officer, said during Monday's livestream. "I can't imagine ChatGPT without Search now. I use it so often. I'm so excited to bring it to all of you for free starting today." Recommended Videos The feature is designed to search the internet, scrape information from relevant websites, and synthesize that data into a conversational answer without the need to click through a search results page yourself. It's functionally identical to what Perplexity AI offers, allowing ChatGPT to compete with the increasingly popular app. "We are making it possible to search in Advanced Voice Mode while you are in ChatGPT," Weil continued. "We are also bringing Search to all logged-in users of ChatGPT for free. It is now available to all users around the globe on any platform." While the company is undeniably bullish on ChatGPT Search's value to users, a recent study out of Columbia University's Tow Center for Digital Journalism found that the feature to be "confidently wrong" in many of its answers. "From each publisher [20 publishers in total] , we selected 10 articles and extracted specific quotes," the researchers wrote. "These quotes were chosen because, when entered into search engines like Google or Bing, they reliably returned the source article among the top three results. We then evaluated whether ChatGPT's new search tool accurately identified the original source for each quote. "In total, ChatGPT returned partially or entirely incorrect responses on [153] occasions, though it only acknowledged an inability to accurately respond to a query seven times," the study found. "Only in those seven outputs did the chatbot use qualifying words and phrases like 'appears,' 'it's possible,' or 'might,' or statements like 'I couldn't locate the exact article.'" Monday marks the eighth day of OpenAI's live-streaming event. So far, the company has unveiled the full version of its o1 reasoning model, a $200/month Pro tier subscription plan, an organizational Projects feature, video capabilities for Advanced Voice Mode, updates to the Canvas feature, and the debut of the Sora video generation model.

SearchGPT Rolling Out to All OpenAI Users Starting Today

The dedicated ChatGPT search engine that OpenAI developed is rolling out to all users starting today, OpenAI announced as part of its 12 days of OpenAI event. SearchGPT was added to ChatGPT in late October, providing improved AI-based searches right from the ChatGPT app and web interface. According to OpenAI, SearchGPT is able to search the web in a "much better way than before," providing links to relevant web sources along with contextual information and support for follow-up questions. When it first debuted, SearchGPT was limited to those who subscribed to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Teams, but it will now also be coming to free users. During today's announcement, OpenAI said that its AI search has been improved over the last few months, making it faster and better on mobile. There's also a new option to search as you converse with ChatGPT, and to make ChatGPT Search the default engine for browsers like Chrome. OpenAI is bringing search to logged in ChatGPT users, so it will be available globally on all platforms that support ChatGPT.

You Don't Need a Subscription to Use the AI-Powered ChatGPT Search

What I Wish I'd Known About Mesh Wi-Fi Before Spending Thousands of Dollars OpenAI's jump into search is now available to anyone. The company announced today that ChatGPT Search is accessible to anyone with a ChatGPT account. No Subscription Required Previously, when the feature first launched in late October, you needed a paid ChatGPT subscription. To begin, ChatGPT will first determine if a question should be answered by ChatGPT Search or just ChatGPT. You can also, when using ChatGPT mobile or on the web, select the Search icon and type your query just like a traditional search engine. Thanks to a partnership with news and data providers, you can see up-to-date information for a wide variety of categories like weather stocks, sports, news, and maps. Along with manually searching, you can also see other popular search queries. At the end of your search, you can select the Source button to see a sidebar with where ChatGPT found the information. Searches will also be saved to view later. ChatGPT Search is now also available in the Advanced Voice Mode, which allows you to converse with the AI in a conversational format. Along with being made faster since it's introduction, the search experience has been improved on mobile devices. You can also make ChatGPT Search a default search engine. A Busy December for ChatGPT While ChatGPT Search is in its early stages, the results so far have been interesting. Instead of needing to spend extra time scrolling through web pages, ChatGPT Search offers direct, conversational answers, helping you find the information much faster. It's a breath of fresh air after years of using Google. It's been a busy December for ChatGPT. OpenAI unveiled a new $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription. If you're willing to pay, you can receive unlimited access to almost everything the company has to offer, including an o1 model that takes more time to answer a question since it is reasoning through more complicated tasks. The company also officially unveiled the Sora video generator that uses AI to create a video simply using a text prompt.

OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Search Features to All Users

The product, called ChatGPT Search, will be available to any user who is logged in with an account for the chatbot across the company's mobile apps and website, the artificial intelligence startup announced at an event Monday. OpenAI previously made the search option available to paid subscribers.

OpenAI updates ChatGPT Search with voice queries, faster results, mobile maps integration

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More On the eighth day of Christmas...er, the eighth day of "12 Days of OpenAI," holiday-themed announcements, the company behind ChatGPT took to its now-familiar livestream on YouTube to announce a series of search-related updates for its signature AI chatbot. Specifically, OpenAI just unveiled three major updates to its web search experience within ChatGPT, which was officially rolled out back in October 2024 after running as a separate, invitation-only preview website called SearchGPT for several months prior. Here's what's changed: Also part of the second update there: OpenAI has made it so that the ChatGPT mobile apps for iOS and Android devices now integrate with those platforms' respective maps, so that if you search for restaurants nearby -- it will use the system map app on your device (Apple Maps or Google Maps, respectively) to show the list of results. Altogether, it was a series of useful if not blockbuster improvements, and should help ChatGPT users on-the-go most of all. Already, OpenAI's presenters teased that tomorrow, on the 9th of 12 Days of OpenAI, there will be news to share for third-party developers building atop OpenAI's platform and application programming interfaces (APIs). Stay tuned, and we'll keep you posted on the latest.