OpenAI has officially launched its long-anticipated ChatGPT search product, marking a significant shift in how we interact with information online. While ChatGPT has had search capabilities for several months, today’s update signals a broader push into AI-driven search, one that’s poised to challenge Google’s longstanding dominance in space.
Why This Matters?
For years, we’ve been waiting for OpenAI’s search product to arrive, and it’s finally here. Early indicators suggest ChatGPT search is already outperforming other AI engines, like Perplexity and Claude, in driving referral traffic to brands. While it’s still too early to predict its cleaner, more focused, and free of ads, setting it apart from traditional search engines.
How to Get Started?
To dive into ChatGPT’s search functionality, simply head to ChatGPT, click on the web search icon, and enter your query. The search results will be delivered in an intuitive, easy-to-navigate format, with citations included directly within the response. A dedicated “Sources” button will provide a sidebar of links, making it clear where the information is coming from.
What Can You Expect?
ChatGPT search is designed to offer up-to-date information across several categories:
- Weather
- Stocks
- Sports
- News
- Maps
Each search result is powered by a fine-tuned GPT-4 model that incorporates synthetic data and outputs from OpenAI’s proprietary methods. By leveraging third-party search providers like Microsoft Bing, as well as content from partners, ChatGPT ensures users get the most relevant results for their queries.
A Sneak Peek at What’s Next
Currently, ChatGPT search is available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, with broader access expected for free users in the coming months. For those looking to make ChatGPT their go-to search engine, there’s even a Chrome extension to streamline the process.
Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to expand the search experience, with a focus on improving shopping and travel queries. And if you’re wondering about SearchGPT, OpenAI’s experimental search prototype, it seems set to live on, likely being tested for new features before they are fully integrated into ChatGPT search.
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