Did you know that ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before? In fact, you 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 is a booster and terrific enhancement of the internet possibilities.
Specifically, when you ask ChatGPT about anything and manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon, ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask. This will likely make research simpler. I can't wait to utilize this tool for my academic researches.
OpenAI introduced the "ChatGPT Search" feature on October 31, 2024. Now users can use ChatGPT to search the internet to enhance response accuracy and relevance by providing up-to-date information. This feature aims to deliver quick answers with credible web sources, potentially challenging traditional search engines.
This update is a significant shift for OpenAI, as it will offer users up-to-the-minute responses with source credibility. OpenAI hopes to bring users relevant, high-quality information directly within ChatGPT by partnering with major publications like the Financial Times and Le Monde.
The ChatGPT Search feature is likely a strategic response to the increasing demand for reliable and timely information directly integrated within conversational AI. Unlike typical search engines, this model delivers answers conversationally, making it particularly useful for professionals, researchers, and everyday users looking to streamline information gathering.
The ChatGPT search is available to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users as an opt-in feature and is expected to be a major boost in making ChatGPT a comprehensive tool that rivals traditional search engines.
I personally see this as a unique upgrade in ChatGPT alongside other well meaning tech enthusiasts. Pam Wasserstein, President, Vox Media says that the search feature will be better highlight and attribute information from trustworthy news sources, that it will also benefit audiences while expanding the reach of publishers like ourselves who produce premium journalism.
What do you think will happen to the traditional search engines? For me, I think they would either upgrade to add AI functionalities or stay out of the game.
All Images from OpenAI's announcement post