ChatGPT Search has officially launched, marking OpenAI’s entry into the artificial intelligence search market, which is expected to pose a threat to search giant Google and AI startup Perplexity.
ChatGPT Search is live!
On November 1, OpenAI introduced a new search feature called ChatGPT Search, allowing users to search for information on ChatGPT “like Google” and generate a “response article.” More importantly, ChatGPT will reference sources in the text “like Perplexity,” helping users verify information and further mitigate the issue of AI hallucinations. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman noted on the social media platform X that search is his favorite feature since ChatGPT’s debut; OpenAI’s media director Varun Shetty stated, “Asking questions through chat and receiving high-quality answers enhances the search experience.”
To optimize the search experience through ChatGPT, OpenAI has signed collaboration agreements with several publishers, including News Corp, European digital publishing group Axel Springer SE, and Time Magazine, to ensure that the information in the search function comes from authoritative and timely sources.
Not just news! Weather, stock market, sports, travel… all searchable
OpenAI pointed out that ChatGPT Search not only focuses on news information but also optimizes and expands searches for weather, stock market, sports, travel, and other local information. Below, Digital Age provides examples of the ChatGPT Search functionality.
News keyword: Hunter cards, Silicon Photonics
Taking recent news as an example, if you search for “Hunter card incident” in ChatGPT, its summary of the event is as follows: Recently, McDonald’s in Taiwan collaborated with the famous Japanese anime “HUNTER×HUNTER” to launch character blind box products. However, before the event officially began, McDonald’s sent complete PR gift boxes to several influencers, causing controversy. In addition to the event overview, ChatGPT also included McDonald’s responses and expert opinions to help users stay updated on related events.
ChatGPT’s summary of the Hunter card incident.
Image / ChatGPT
So, what if the search is for a more technical keyword? For example, regarding “Silicon Photonics,” ChatGPT’s overview is as follows: Silicon Photonics is a technology that combines photonic technology with silicon materials, creating components such as optical waveguides on silicon chips to transmit optical signals. This technology utilizes the high speed and low loss characteristics of optical signals to achieve high-speed, low-power data transmission. In terms of performance with technical terms, ChatGPT’s content shows a relatively high degree of overlap with a single media source, likely due to the specialized nature of the content. Therefore, in addition to generating relatively simple summary responses, ChatGPT also collects relevant sources on the right sidebar, such as an article titled “What is Silicon Photonics?” compiled by Digital Age.
ChatGPT’s explanation of “Silicon Photonics.”
Image / ChatGPT
Weather keyword: Typhoon damage
Without inputting the name of the typhoon, it can be inferred that ChatGPT may estimate the user’s location based on their IP address, leading to statistics on the damage from Typhoon Koinu, as follows:
Typhoon damage information compiled by ChatGPT.
Image / ChatGPT
Stock market keyword: Super Micro Computer stock price
In the past, asking ChatGPT for stock market news often resulted in either relatively outdated information or a response stating it could not generate a reply. However, now ChatGPT fully cites third-party information and summarizes factors influencing stock price fluctuations as follows: Super Micro Computer, Inc. (stock symbol: SMCI) has seen significant stock price volatility recently. As of October 31, 2024, the stock closed at $33.07, down 32.68% in a single day. This decline was primarily due to Ernst & Young resigning from its audit role, citing concerns over corporate governance and transparency. Additionally, market scrutiny over its accounting practices and client transactions has intensified the downward pressure on the stock price.
ChatGPT’s response regarding stock price issues.
Image / ChatGPT
Sports keyword: MLB
If you search for MLB, it can be inferred that ChatGPT prioritizes generating content based on “recent major events.” Therefore, the AI lists the schedule outcomes of the World Series “Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees” in a table format and highlights player performances as follows: Shohei Ohtani: Playing for the Dodgers, he set a record of 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases in the 2024 season, becoming the first player to achieve the “50-50” accomplishment. Aaron Judge: The Yankees’ key hitter, he hit 58 home runs in the 2024 season, showcasing impressive performance.
MLB game status generated by ChatGPT.
Image / ChatGPT
Travel keyword: Taipei night markets
If you search for “What night markets are there in Taipei?”, ChatGPT will display landmarks directly on an embedded map based on data sources, allowing users to click “Navigation” or “Website” for further transportation information or background data, which is quite practical.
Map of Taipei night markets generated by ChatGPT.
Image / ChatGPT
Why is Google’s dominance in search being threatened?
Why will the ChatGPT search function pose a threat to Google? The clues and opportunities can be seen from the current active user base of ChatGPT and its “conversion rate.”
Reason 1: There are many free users, and the growth potential for conversion rates is high
According to Bloomberg, OpenAI’s CFO Sarah Friar recently revealed that around 75% of OpenAI’s business comes from consumer subscriptions, with ChatGPT currently averaging 250 million active users per week, and the conversion rate from free to paid users is about 5-6%. This indicates the potential for the search function to further enhance user payment rates.
Reason 2: ChatGPT currently lacks ad placements
Moreover, the web version of ChatGPT still does not have ad placements, and its clean layout may be one of the reasons users abandon Google search. According to The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix stated that there are currently no plans to place ads in ChatGPT. However, the operating costs of AI search are evidently higher than those of traditional search, and it remains unclear how OpenAI will profit from free users. Therefore, Felix also mentioned that free users “will have their frequency of using the latest search model limited.”
Conclusion: Enhanced practicality, but still need to be cautious of AI hallucinations
After preliminary practical assessments, the utility performance of ChatGPT Search is quite good. However, as a generative AI product, ChatGPT Search also faces the risk of incorrect answers. Regarding AI hallucinations, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search director Adam Fry pointed out, “Some hallucination phenomena occur simply because up-to-date information cannot be retrieved. Thus, with the support of the latest information, it indeed helps the system come closer to real and correct answers during decision-making.” Fry added, “If the system makes mistakes, we will strive to maintain transparency.”
Further Reading:
OpenAI declares war on Google! Launching “SearchGPT” to compete in the search engine market, how to use AI search? What’s impressive about it?
Sources:
ChatGPT,
The Verge,
Bloomberg
This article was initially drafted by AI and organized. Edited by Li Xiantai