OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking ChatGPT, which debuted in November 2022, is now venturing into the search engine arena with the launch of SearchGPT. This new AI-powered search tool is designed to provide real-time information and is currently available as a prototype.

What is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT allows users to enter queries like any typical search engine, but it stands out by delivering conversational responses that include up-to-date information sourced from the web. This approach offers a more interactive experience compared to traditional search engines.

Features of SearchGPT

Similar to the "Browse" feature in ChatGPT, SearchGPT includes links to the original sources of its information, allowing users to easily verify facts and delve deeper into topics. If users prefer a more traditional search results layout, they can click the "link" icon on the left sidebar to see a list of relevant webpages alongside the conversational response.

We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.

We’re launching with a small group of users for feedback and plan to integrate the experience into ChatGPT. https://t.co/dRRnxXVlGh pic.twitter.com/iQpADXmllH

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 25, 2024

One of the key features of SearchGPT is its ability to handle follow-up questions, making it easier for users to refine their search without starting over. This prototype is currently being tested by around 10,000 users and publishers, with OpenAI gathering feedback to improve the service. Interested users can join a waitlist to try it out.

Support for Publishers

To address concerns that AI search engines might reduce traffic to publisher websites, OpenAI emphasizes that SearchGPT is designed to promote proper attribution and linking to original sources. Publishers can also control how their content appears in SearchGPT and opt-out of having their content used for training OpenAI's models while still appearing in search results.

The Future of SearchGPT and ChatGPT

OpenAI plans to integrate the best features of SearchGPT into ChatGPT, enhancing the chatbot's capabilities by combining conversational responses with search functionality. This could provide a compelling alternative to traditional search engines like Google, which currently holds a dominant 91% market share according to StatCounter.

Other companies, such as Microsoft with its Copilot in Bing and Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, are also exploring the integration of generative AI into search. While these efforts have gained traction, with Bing reaching 140 million daily active users and Perplexity being valued at $1 billion, they have not yet posed a significant challenge to Google's dominance.

Google, meanwhile, continues to innovate in response to the growing interest in AI. The company introduced its Search Generative Experience (SGE) at Google I/O 2023, and expanded the use of AI-generated overviews in 2024, though it has had to adjust these features based on user feedback.

For now, OpenAI's SearchGPT is a promising addition to the evolving landscape of AI and search technology, offering a new way to access and interact with information online.