OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search Is Now Available to All and It’s Ready to Compete with Google

OpenAI's New Search Feature Takes on Google

OpenAI has introduced a major update to its ChatGPT chatbot, now integrating a search feature that’s available to all users.

This new capability marks a direct challenge to Google’s long-standing dominance in the search engine sector.

Initially reserved for paying subscribers, the search tool is now accessible to anyone logged into ChatGPT across both its mobile apps and website.

ChatGPT Search Replaces Traditional Web Search

By integrating search capabilities directly into ChatGPT, OpenAI has made it easier for users to obtain relevant answers without having to visit external websites.

The feature allows users to query the chatbot for real-time information across various topics, with results linked to the web sources from which they were drawn.

The company explained at a recent event:

“This update means that users can now ask questions about anything, like ‘What can I do in Zurich before Christmas?’ and receive immediate, spoken responses.”

The company has further enhanced the feature by allowing users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine within their web browser.

This move positions OpenAI as a competitor to Google's longstanding grip on the search engine market, offering a cleaner, more interactive alternative that omits the usual clutter of advertisements found in traditional search engines.

A Push for Greater Market Share

The roll-out comes at a time when tech giants are increasingly incorporating generative AI into their products.

In late 2022, ChatGPT became a viral success, prompting a race among companies to infuse AI into their search platforms.

Microsoft, a significant backer of OpenAI, has already used this technology to bolster its Bing search engine, while Google has introduced AI-driven features into its own search products.

Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s chief product officer, noted that the new feature will be available globally across all platforms where ChatGPT is accessible.

This strategic expansion signals OpenAI’s ambitions to carve out a larger piece of the search engine market, directly competing with Google's entrenched presence.

Increased Costs and Resources for OpenAI

As OpenAI pushes its new feature, the expansion brings higher operational costs.

The integration of real-time search results and the inclusion of web-sourced citations will demand more computational power.

This increase in resources raises questions about the financial implications for OpenAI as it continues to expand its offering while also competing with Microsoft’s investment in Bing and Google's ongoing development.

The new product is being rolled out amid OpenAI's ongoing livestream series, where the company has also introduced its new, premium ChatGPT Pro subscription and begun the first steps in launching an AI video generation tool called Sora.

With these developments, OpenAI is emerging as a strong competitor in the AI-driven internet landscape, challenging both Google and other AI-powered search alternatives like Perplexity.

The increasing use of AI in web searches suggests a shift in how users may interact with the internet, combining traditional search results with conversational, real-time insights powered by advanced AI technology.