ChatGPT Search: OpenAI’s AI-Powered Web Search Experience Now Live for All Users

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT Search, its AI-powered web search experience, is now live for all users. This feature was initially available only to premium subscribers but is now accessible to non-paying users as well.

New Features and Improvements

ChatGPT Search shows summarized answers from different online sources, along with "rich" content like embedded photos and YouTube videos. Users can access this feature by default or tap a new ‘Search the web’ icon in the ChatGPT interface. The search experience has also been made faster, and users can now set it as their default search engine for any web browser.

Advanced Voice Mode Integration

ChatGPT Search is now available in Advanced Voice Mode, OpenAI’s real-time conversational feature for ChatGPT. This integration allows users to access up-to-date web information while using Advanced Voice Mode on mobile or desktop.

Mobile Optimization and Enhanced Features

On mobile, users can now see better-organized business info, including addresses (in Apple Maps on the iOS ChatGPT app) and phone numbers. The improved ChatGPT Search experience for mobile also includes an enhanced interface that allows users to easily access relevant information.

Evolution of SearchGPT Prototype

ChatGPT Search is a refinement of OpenAI’s SearchGPT prototype, which was unveiled in the summer. Powered by a fine-tuned version of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model, ChatGPT Search serves up information from the web along with links to relevant sources, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and refine their search.

Mixed Reception

My colleague Max Zeff found ChatGPT Search to be a mixed bag when he tested it earlier this year. OpenAI is clearly intent on refining the feature, though, which it sees as a key avenue for growth.

Industry Concerns and Feedback

Some publishers have protested AI-powered search tools such as ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews, saying they threaten to cannibalize traffic to the sites from which they source their information. One study found that AI Overviews alone negatively affect about 25% of publisher traffic due to the de-emphasis on links to web pages.

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI has incorporated feedback from partners about how ChatGPT Search decides which articles are most relevant to a query, as well as determining the summary length and quotations for articles. The company is committed to refining its AI-powered search experience to better serve users while also addressing industry concerns.

12 Days of OpenAI Event

The announcement comes during OpenAI’s "12 Days of OpenAI" event, which is hosting daily announcements and reveals throughout December. This event showcases the company’s continued innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.

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