OpenAI is bringing real-time web search capabilities to ChatGPT, enhancing the functionality of the AI chatbot.
This new feature, announced today, allows ChatGPT to provide up-to-date information with proper source attribution while keeping its conversational interface.
Key Updates
ChatGPT can now deliver real-time data, including news, sports scores, stock prices, and weather updates.
Search results are displayed automatically based on queries or triggered manually using a dedicated search icon.
You can verify information through a “Sources” sidebar that contains reference links.
OpenAI states in its announcement:
“Ask a question in a more natural, conversational way, and ChatGPT will respond with information from the web. Go deeper with follow-up questions, and ChatGPT will consider the full context of your chat to get a better answer for you.”
The company notes that SearchGPT was a prototype and feedback from the test group has been incorporated into this update:
“Thanks to feedback from the SearchGPT prototype, we brought the best of the SearchGPT experience into ChatGPT.”
Technical Framework
The search functionality is powered by a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o, which has been improved using synthetic data generation techniques and integration with the company’s o1-preview system.
The platform combines third-party search capabilities with content from direct partners.
OpenAI has partnered with several news organizations, including the Associated Press, Axel Springer, the Financial Times, and Reuters.
Future Development
OpenAI plans to expand its search capabilities, particularly in the shopping and travel sectors.
The company also intends to integrate the feature with its Advanced Voice and Canvas products.
All website owners and publishers can participate in ChatGPT’s search results.
The Search AI Race
While Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini have offered real-time search for months, ChatGPT’s implementation differs in key ways:
Feature Comparison:
ChatGPT: Offers both manual and automatic search triggering, includes a source attribution sidebar, and supports interactive maps.
Google Gemini: Integrated with traditional search, ad-supported, and features an extensive knowledge graph.
Microsoft Copilot: Integrates with Bing, supports multimodal search, and includes shopping features.
Meta is reportedly working on its own AI search solution, while Google recently announced $49.4 billion in search revenue in Q3. The competition for search market dominance is higher than ever.
For SEO professionals, this fragmentation means optimizing for multiple AI-powered search systems, each with unique ranking factors and content preferences.
Hands-On Testing
Search Engine Journal’s limited hands-on testing reveals promising features and notable limitations that could impact publishers and SEO professionals.
Real-Time Search Capabilities
ChatGPT can now access up-to-date information and provide responses that include cited sources.