ChatGPT search: Details about OpenAI's search engine
ChatGPT search is a generative AI search engine that ingests information in real time.
An early concern with OpenAI's ChatGPT was the knowledge cutoff issue: Large language models (LLMs) only know about the world until a certain date. For example, the GPT-4o model that powers ChatGPT, as of this writing, has a knowledge cutoff of October 2023. With the older GPT-4 model, that cutoff was September 2021.
In contrast, a traditional search engine such as Google has no knowledge cutoff. Google search constantly crawls the internet to add the freshest possible information to the index. LLM knowledge cutoff is a challenge that multiple vendors are looking to solve with search capabilities powered by generative AI (GenAI).
OpenAI is one of those vendors, and ChatGPT search is a GenAI search engine built by OpenAI.
What is ChatGPT search?
GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. GPT-3, GPT-4 and GPT-4o are the foundational LLMs that OpenAI developed to power ChatGPT. With ChatGPT search, OpenAI pairs the power of a traditional search engine with the capabilities of its GPT LLMs, eliminating knowledge cutoff as it mines real-time data from across the web.
The service, originally announced under the name SearchGPT as a challenge to Google on July 25, 2024, had an initial waitlist that limited access to the prototype. OpenAI made the service more generally available on Oct. 31, integrating the GenAI search into its ChatGPT service under the name ChatGPT search.
Users with access to ChatGPT search -- ChatGPT Plus and Team members at present, Enterprise and Education users by year's end -- avoid knowledge cutoff issues. OpenAI plans to make the service available to free users by early 2025.
ChatGPT search features
ChatGPT search expands the capabilities of the core ChatGPT service. The search's key features include the following:
- Conversational AI. ChatGPT search provides conversational AI, a natural language interface for users with questions.
- Follow-up questions. The service lets users ask follow-up questions, making the experience more interactive and similar to a human conversation.
- Up-to-date responses. Without a knowledge cutoff date, ChatGPT search captures web material in real time to provide up-to-date information.
- Real-time live data. The service's capability provides users with real-time access to live sports scores, weather conditions, stock quotes and breaking news, as well as location services and maps.
- Summarization. While traditional search engines display a series of links to web addresses with more information, ChatGPT search provides concise summaries of the information.
- Source attribution. OpenAI includes clear attributions and source links, enabling verification and further exploration of the original websites.
- Visual results. ChatGPT search employs video and pictures to answer certain user queries.
How ChatGPT search works
ChatGPT search works by combining technologies.
A fine-tuned version of GPT-4o underpins the service. According to OpenAI, the fine-tuning involved the use of post-training techniques -- most importantly, the distillation of outputs from the OpenAI o1-preview model. OpenAI said this new model, focused on improved reasoning capabilities, creates a more refined and accurate search experience.
ChatGPT search also uses third-party search providers, including Microsoft Bing, and content from media partners.
In fact, OpenAI already has multiple partnerships in the media industry. Any website or publisher can choose to appear in ChatGPT search results, and a dedicated feedback channel -- [email protected] -- maintains open communication with content providers.
Partners as of November 2024 include the following:
- Axel Springer.
- Condé Nast.
- Dotdash Meredith.
- Financial Times.
- GEDI.
- Hearst.
- Le Monde.
- News Corp.
- Prisa, owner of El País.
- Reuters.
- The Associated Press.
- The Atlantic.
- Time.
- Vox Media.
How to access ChatGPT search
Multiple access points make it easier for users to connect to ChatGPT search across different platforms and devices. They include the following:
- Browser access. Many users are likely to experience ChatGPT search at chatgpt.com. The browser version does not require any additional software and aims to provide a consistent experience regardless of the operating system.
- Browser extension. OpenAI's Google Chrome browser extension enables direct access to ChatGPT search through the browser's URL bar.
- Mobile integration. Users can access all search capabilities through official ChatGPT mobile apps on Apple iOS and Android platforms.
OpenAI's answer to Google search
Google has long dominated the search space. It's a position that OpenAI is looking to challenge with ChatGPT search's capabilities.
Answers, not links
Traditional search engines, including Google, are functionally indexes, pointing to other sources of information without necessarily providing an answer to a question.
Google has an AI Overviews capability, formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE, that delivers AI-generated summaries and snippets for quick answers. Primarily, though, Google search lists links to third-party websites. ChatGPT search, instead of merely providing links, summarizes the source, quickly giving the requested information.
Contextual continuity
A traditional Google search is a point-in-time query with no carryover from one question to the next. ChatGPT search seeks to maintain context across multiple user queries.
Search accuracy
Traditional Google search focuses on keyword matching, sometimes requiring users to sift through multiple pages to find relevant information. Search engine optimization (SEO), a traditional search engine practice, uses techniques that narrow search results. ChatGPT search combines real-time information with an LLM to produce more contextually relevant information.
Ad-free experience
ChatGPT search offers users an ad-free interface. Google displays advertisements in its search results.
AI-powered search engine comparison
The chart below compares the AI-powered search engines available today.
| Search engine | Platform integration | Publisher collaboration | Ads | Cost |
| Brave Search | Independent search index | Basic source attribution | Ad-free | Free |
| ChatGPT search by OpenAI | Built on OpenAI's infrastructure | Strong emphasis on media partnerships | Ad-free | Free |
| Google AI Overviews | Built on Google's infrastructure | SEO practices, content partnerships | Includes ads | Free |
| Microsoft Bing AI/Copilot | Built on Microsoft's infrastructure | SEO practices, content partnerships | Includes ads | Free |
| Perplexity AI | Standalone | Basic source attribution | Ad-free | Free; $20/month for premium |
| You.com | AI assistant with various modes | Basic source attribution | Ad-free | Free; premium tiers available |
Trajectory for ChatGPT search
OpenAI has outlined some plans for ChatGPT search. That roadmap includes the following goals:
- Improved vertical search. The company plans to enhance capabilities in specific vertical markets, particularly shopping and travel.
- More reasoning. OpenAI continues to develop the service, improving the reasoning capabilities of the OpenAI o1 models and enabling deeper research capabilities.
- Advanced voice. OpenAI plans to integrate the service with its advanced voice capabilities.
- Canvas. ChatGPT canvas is another interface to interact with the AI system. To further improve results, OpenAI plans to integrate canvas with ChatGPT search.
Sean Michael Kerner is an IT consultant, technology enthusiast and tinkerer. He has pulled Token Ring, configured NetWare and been known to compile his own Linux kernel. He consults with industry and media organizations on technology issues.
