OpenAI Takes on Search with the Launch of SearchGPT

OpenAI is stepping into the search engine arena with its new feature, SearchGPT, positioning itself as a competitor not just to emerging platforms like Perplexity, but also to established giants such as Google and Bing.

Introduced recently, SearchGPT aims to deliver "timely answers" to user queries by drawing on information from the web. Its user interface is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT: you enter a question, and SearchGPT provides information, images, and links from various sources. Users can then follow up with additional questions or explore related searches via a sidebar.

SearchGPT also integrates location-based features. According to OpenAI’s support documentation, the tool collects and shares general location data with third-party search providers to refine search results—like showing nearby restaurants or weather forecasts. Users can share more specific location details through a settings toggle.

Powered by OpenAI's models, including GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and GPT-4o, SearchGPT is currently available as a prototype to users and publishers, with a waitlist for broader access. OpenAI plans to incorporate some of SearchGPT’s features into its ChatGPT platform in the future.

In a blog post, OpenAI highlighted the need for more efficient web searches, noting that current methods often require multiple attempts to yield relevant results. The company believes that integrating real-time web information with the conversational abilities of its models will make finding answers quicker and easier.

Rumors of OpenAI’s interest in creating a search engine to challenge Google have circulated for some time. A February report from The Information hinted at such a project. However, the launch of SearchGPT comes amid ongoing criticisms of AI-powered search tools, which have faced scrutiny for issues like plagiarism, inaccuracies, and content appropriation.

Google’s AI Overviews, for instance, faced backlash for inaccuracies, while other AI search engines have made problematic recommendations or failed to credit original sources. Perplexity, in particular, has been criticized for using content from news outlets like CNBC, Bloomberg, and Forbes without proper attribution.

In response to these issues, OpenAI is positioning SearchGPT as a more responsible option. The company claims that SearchGPT "prominently cites and links" to original publishers, ensuring clear attribution. OpenAI is also collaborating with publishers to refine the search experience and allowing website owners to control how their content appears in search results.

OpenAI emphasizes that SearchGPT is focused on search functionalities and is separate from the training of its generative AI models. This approach aims to support a diverse ecosystem of publishers and creators.

Given OpenAI’s past controversies, such as scraping YouTube transcripts without permission, it remains to be seen how SearchGPT will navigate the challenges and opportunities in the search landscape.