OpenAI has just rolled out a major update for ChatGPT, making it possible for users to search the web directly within the chat. This update comes three months after the announcement of their “SearchGPT” prototype and shows how OpenAI wants ChatGPT to be your go-to for not just general questions, but also real-time, live information from the internet.
Why This Is Big News for AI Search
Adam Fry, who leads the search product for ChatGPT, said OpenAI wants to make ChatGPT “the best place to answer any question.” This update is a significant move, especially as more companies are getting into AI-powered search, including giants like Google and startups like Perplexity. While some of these tools have faced backlash over inaccuracies or improperly using sources, OpenAI is trying to set a new standard by forming licensing agreements with major publishers, including The Atlantic, Vox Media, and Condé Nast. These agreements allow OpenAI to legally use their content for training and information sourcing.
How to Access the New ChatGPT Search Feature
If you want to try out this new search tool, you’ll need a subscription. The feature is available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers (at $20 per month) and ChatGPT Teams users. Free users may have to wait until early next year. The new search is accessible across ChatGPT’s web and mobile apps, so it’s available on your phone, tablet, or computer.
What It’s Like to Use ChatGPT’s New Search
ChatGPT’s search feature is a bit like having an AI assistant that can fetch and summarize information from across the web. For example, you could ask for the best electric bikes, and ChatGPT might show you links to expert reviews from places like WIRED, along with a quick summary of top picks. You’re not limited to just keywords like in traditional search engines—you can ask more natural, complex questions, which is something Fry encourages.
OpenAI sees this as an ideal starting point for things like shopping research. They even hinted that they’re working with retail brands, so ChatGPT could eventually guide you from search to shopping checkout.
Is This Really a Game-Changer?
ChatGPT’s new search feels promising, but it’s still not perfect. Like other AI-powered tools, it sometimes pulls in inaccurate information or struggles with complex questions. During testing, some users noticed it occasionally cited outdated or misleading information, like debunked studies. OpenAI is aware of these issues and says they’re working on improving accuracy and fact-checking.
While it may not replace Google for everything, especially for highly detailed or sensitive searches, ChatGPT’s search tool could become a helpful option for casual research, shopping, and general curiosity. For journalists, it could even be a quick tool for initial background research.
What’s Next for AI Search?
AI search is becoming a hot area, with other tech companies like Meta rumored to be working on similar tools. With more companies joining in, AI search could soon become a common way to look things up. OpenAI’s new ChatGPT search might still have a way to go, but it’s definitely a step toward making AI-powered search a part of everyday life.
So, if you’re curious, try it out and see how it stacks up against the search engines you’re used to!