OpenAI launches ChatGPT search for paid users, a competition for Google

OpenAI has finally launched its first Google competitor, ChatGPT search. After releasing the prototype SearchGPT, the ChatGPT model is well-learnt to deliver real-time answers. According to the OpenAI, users can get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources, which you would have previously needed to go to a search engine for. “This blends the benefits of a natural language interface with the value of up-to-date sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more,” added OpenAI. ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon.
It is currently available for all ChatGPT Plus and Team users. Moreover, SearchGPT waitlisted users will also get that today. Enterprise and Edu users will get access in the next few weeks. OpenAI will also roll out the feature to all its Free users over the coming months.
ChatGPT Search, powered by an enhanced version of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model, delivers real-time information and images from the web, such as sports scores, news updates, stock prices, and more, along with links to credible sources. Users can also ask follow-up questions to refine their searches.
Before this update, ChatGPT’s knowledge depended on a cutoff ranging from 2021 to 2023, depending on the model version. OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix stated that, despite the availability of live search, the company will keep updating its training data to “ensure users always access the latest advancements,” though this process remains “separate” from model training itself.
The search model is an optimised version of GPT-4o, further trained with innovative synthetic data generation methods, including output distillation from OpenAI’s o1-preview. ChatGPT Search integrates information from third-party search engines alongside direct content from partnered providers to deliver the answers users seek.
Responses include both in-text and sidebar citations from news outlets and data providers that OpenAI partners with. For example, a search for weekend activities in San Francisco may provide a summary from local news sites, while a follow-up on nearby dining options will offer a curated list of restaurants.
For election-related queries, information will be sourced from outlets like AP and Reuters, according to OpenAI.
OpenAI has announced its intention to continue enhancing its search capabilities, especially in shopping and travel, and to utilise its o1 “reasoning” models for more in-depth research. The company also plans to expand ChatGPT Search to its Advanced Voice Mode and make it available to users who aren’t logged in. The CEO Sam Altman is also very optimistic about the new tool. He took to X, saying, “It’s really good.”