OpenAI has made the ChatGPT web search functionality available to all users, including those without accounts.

On Wednesday, OpenAI shared on the social media platform X that the ChatGPT search option is now accessible to everyone without the need to register or log in.

Initially launched in late October of the previous year, the ChatGPT web search feature is embedded directly within OpenAI’s AI chatbot at [chatgpt.com](http://chatgpt.com). Users can easily click the search icon to submit their inquiries, and ChatGPT will provide responses in a conversational style. Unlike standard chatbot replies, ChatGPT also retrieves pertinent information from the web, incorporating images and links that cite sources, presenting them in a layout akin to that of a search engine.

When this feature was first introduced, it was exclusively available to paying ChatGPT users. In December, OpenAI broadened access to all users who were logged in. Now, the search capability is open to everyone, including those without accounts.

A recent analysis by the search engine optimization firm Semrush indicated that, although Google continues to lead search traffic, ChatGPT has been increasingly directing users to external websites. As AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT become more prevalent, it will be intriguing to observe their impact on online search habits.