OpenAI Enters the AI Search Engine War: ChatGPT Search Challenges Google's Reign

First introduced as the prototype SearchGPT in July 2024, OpenAI has officially stepped into the search engine arena with its launch of ChatGPT Search, currently available exclusively to ChatGPT Plus users.

ChatGPT Search integrates real-time internet search capabilities directly into a conversational interface, allowing users to access up-to-date information on a wide range of topics—such as current events, sports, stock prices, and weather forecasts—without ever leaving the chat environment. Using advanced natural language processing, ChatGPT Search provides summarized search results, even linking citations to sources.

In an effort to provide accurate and reliable information, OpenAI has partnered with established news and media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. ChatGPT Search also leverages other search engines, most remaining undisclosed to the public. However, one notable exception is Bing, Microsoft's proprietary search engine—Microsoft also being one of OpenAI's largest investors.

When asked in a Reddit AMA (ask me anything), OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had this to say:

"For many queries, I find it to be a way faster/easier way to get the information I'm looking for. I think we'll see this especially for queries that require more complex research."

Despite the bold entry of OpenAI and ChatGPT Search, Google still commands around 90% of the search engine market. Although ChatGPT Search is in its early stages, it pales against Google's staggering 8 billion monthly queries.

OpenAI is not the only company challenging Google. The AI-powered search engine Perplexity, backed by Jeff Bezos and Amazon, is also vying for a share of Google's market control. Meanwhile, Google is strengthening its search capabilities with AI through its own Gemini model.

Regardless, while Google's dominance is strong, with companies like OpenAI and Perplexity attempting to disrupt the space, we may see some paradigm shifts in the near future.

Resources

• Article: OpenAI

• Article: MIT