Initial testing indicates that response times are similar to traditional search engines, with results available within minutes.
In breaking news situations, the system has shown strong accuracy.
When asked about Apple’s latest product announcements, ChatGPT provided precise information supported by citations from major technology publications.
Publisher Attribution and Traffic Tracking
A key feature for publishers is the use of UTM tracking parameters in outbound links.
All citations include “utm_source=chatgpt.com,” enabling publishers to track traffic from the platform directly in their analytics.
The system categorizes sources into two groups: direct citations used within responses and additional related search results.
Testing has shown that a single query can generate dozens of unique source citations, which may help broaden traffic distribution among publishers.
Content Freshness & Accuracy
ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to retrieve articles published within the past hour; however, testing revealed some inconsistencies in its awareness of time.
When asked about recent Google updates, it returned outdated 2019 information pointing to potential issues with accurately dating content.
On the other hand, the system exhibited strong fact-checking abilities by correctly identifying and declining to validate incorrect premises.
When queried about a non-existent Google core update in October, it accurately referenced the most recent update from August instead.
Coverage Limitations
Testing revealed a potential bias toward official sources in certain scenarios.
For instance, when discussing Google’s helpful content update, ChatGPT emphasized official statements while omitting widespread industry discussions about negative impacts.
Additionally, OpenAI’s partner publications are consistently cited throughout ChatGPT’s responses.
Availability and Access
The search feature is launching today for ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers and users on the SearchGPT waitlist.
Enterprise and educational users will gain access in the coming weeks, and a broader rollout to free users is planned over the next several months.
This marks an important development in AI-powered search, but its full impact on search traffic patterns is still unknown.
We encourage you to monitor your analytics for ChatGPT referral patterns and evaluate your content’s visibility within the new system.
Related: Data Confirms Disruptive Potential Of SearchGPT