OpenAI has formally unveiled its highly anticipated search functionality, ChatGPT Search. Announced on Thursday, this innovative tool enables users to “obtain quick, up-to-date responses with links to pertinent web sources.” While there were speculations about it potentially being a standalone search engine, ChatGPT Search is actually embedded within the current ChatGPT interface. Users can either manually initiate real-time search by selecting the web search icon or simply input a prompt, allowing ChatGPT to determine if it should access current information from the internet.
This enhancement positions ChatGPT to more effectively compete with Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, both of which have long been incorporated into their respective search platforms. Numerous users already favor ChatGPT over Google Search, which has faced criticism for being cluttered with advertisements and low-quality, spam-like content. Previously, the knowledge cutoff for newer models of ChatGPT was set at October 2023. However, with the rollout of real-time search, ChatGPT can now offer current information on subjects such as weather, stocks, sports, news, and maps, aided by collaborations with various media organizations.
When utilizing ChatGPT Search, users will continue to receive the recognizable conversational replies, but with an added button that leads them to a compilation of sources. Selecting these sources discloses a more conventional search engine format, complete with headlines and links to related articles.
At present, ChatGPT Search is accessible to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Team users, in addition to SearchGPT pilot testers. It will be expanded to ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu users in the upcoming weeks. OpenAI has also revealed intentions to broaden the feature to Advanced Voice Mode and free-tier users in the future.