On Thursday, OpenAI announced that its search engine is now available for everyone at chatgpt.com, including those who haven’t yet signed up for the website. This significant development signals OpenAI’s bold entry into the competitive landscape dominated by search giants like Google and Bing. Echoing Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, CEO Sam Altman stated, “Make search great again,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

What is ChatGPT Search?

Launched in October of last year, ChatGPT Search allows users to perform searches similar to those on traditional search engines. Users can enter keywords and questions at chatgpt.com to retrieve relevant web sources and links. Previously, the feature was exclusive to ChatGPT Plus users, but it has now been made accessible to free users as well.

A More Efficient Way to Find Information

OpenAI highlights the challenges involved in obtaining useful answers online. Often, it requires multiple searches and extensive digging through links to identify quality sources. With ChatGPT Search, users can engage in a conversation to receive enhanced answers. The platform’s AI can reference information from the web when generating responses.

How ChatGPT Search Works

The underlying technology of ChatGPT Search is a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o. This model faces competition from similar technologies developed by Chinese companies like DeepSeek and Alibaba. The ChatGPT search employs third-party search providers and content from partners to deliver results to users.

Comparing ChatGPT Search to Google

One of the primary distinctions between ChatGPT Search and Google lies in their methodologies. Google operates on an index-based search system, where it crawls and indexes web pages, storing vast amounts of data in extensive databases. Google’s algorithms analyze this indexed data to rank and retrieve relevant search results based on matched keywords and phrases.

In contrast, ChatGPT Search is driven by artificial intelligence. It emphasizes comprehension of the user’s query, considering context, intent, and meaning, rather than solely relying on keyword matching. This results in a more conversational search experience, allowing users to ask follow-up questions seamlessly.

The Significance of OpenAI’s Move

This strategic expansion of OpenAI’s search capabilities opens the floodgates for hundreds of millions of users worldwide. However, the move has not been without controversy. Publishers have expressed concerns that AI-powered tools, including ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews, may siphon traffic away from original content sources.

Challenges Ahead

As OpenAI continues to enhance its search functionality, navigating the delicate balance between providing useful responses and ensuring the consideration of original content creators will be crucial.

Future Implications

OpenAI’s advancements in search technology could redefine how users access information online. By prioritizing context and conversational engagement, ChatGPT Search may lead to a more intuitive browsing experience.

Conclusion

With its newfound accessibility, ChatGPT Search presents an exciting alternative to traditional search engines, promising a more dynamic and interactive search experience. As the landscape evolves, the impact of AI on search behavior will be a critical area to monitor.