OpenAI recently introduced a real-time search capability within ChatGPT and also launched a Chrome extension, so users can bypass Google Search entirely. It’s initially available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, with Enterprise and educational users getting access in the next few weeks. Free users of ChatGPT will see it in coming months.
But can ChatGPT search topple Google Search? Many other search engines have tried and failed.
What it’s like: When trying it out, one of the first things users will notice is a mostly blank browser showing only the most recent web pages opened. These are displayed in two rows of four each. Users might find this experience a bit disconcerting if they’ve been using Google Search for decades.
The search results: ChatGPT assumes it knows what you want and answers your query while also supplying links to sources. Google gives you something similar at the top of the web page with its AI Overviews, but then comes the cascade of URLs.
Example: I tried searching for travel to Taiwan since my family and I are planning a trip. My search terms consisted only of two words: Taiwan travel. ChatGPT confidently gave me tips for travel, with links. Google didn’t give me an AI overview or summary but did provide the familiar links, with a new look – it displayed the source’s logo and then the URL.
I actually liked the broader diversity of answers I get from Google – ranging from authoritative sources to individual opinions from Reddit. It gives me an element of serendipity; perhaps I’ll read something I didn’t mean to read, and it will just add color to our trip.
Google’s ecosystem is still the go-to for users needing comprehensive, real-time data across the full spectrum of the web. – ChatGPT
In contrast, ChatGPT already prepared the answer for me. I have to take ChatGPT at its word since double-checking what it says with sources would take a long time. Let’s hope it did not hallucinate.
“This is huge news in the search world. ChatGPT is probably best positioned amongst all competitors to upset Google’s dominance in search. However, of all areas for ChatGPT to compete with Google, search is the one where Google’s power as an incumbent with a 26-year head start is strongest,” Damian Rollison, SOCi’s director of market insights, told The AI Innovator.
“The early results of Bing search integrated into ChatGPT have been shaky, and the incredibly complex requirements of maintaining a world-class search platform tap into areas of expertise where OpenAI has yet to demonstrate its capabilities. Probably, the success of SearchGPT will hinge on its bringing a different approach to the search experience that users find truly refreshing and new.”
What ChatGPT thinks
I decided to ask ChatGPT what it thinks, using the prompt, “Can ChatGPT search prevail over Google Search?”
This is its response: “ChatGPT and Google Search serve different roles, so they are more complementary than competitive in many ways. However, ChatGPT has some unique advantages and limitations when compared to Google Search:”
Advantages of ChatGPT
- Conversational Assistance: ChatGPT can provide answers in a conversational style, making complex information more digestible. This interactivity, where users can ask follow-up questions or request clarifications, offers a more guided search experience than Google’s one-off query format.
- Context Retention: ChatGPT can remember the context of previous interactions within a session, enabling it to provide answers that build on what a user previously asked or specified. Google, in contrast, treats each search independently, without understanding the broader context of a user’s previous questions.
- Personalized Responses: ChatGPT can offer responses that feel more tailored, while Google typically relies on ranking algorithms that prioritize content across sites. This personal touch can be helpful for users looking for unique or creative insights.
- Synthesis of Information: ChatGPT can summarize, synthesize, and interpret complex information from multiple sources or domains, which is useful for users who want a holistic overview rather than a list of links. Google often requires the user to click through multiple results to form a complete understanding.
Limitations of ChatGPT
- Up-to-Date Information: ChatGPT might not always provide the most current information, while Google’s indexing allows users to access real-time data and breaking news. Google is therefore stronger for topics that change frequently or require precise, immediate updates.
- Source Transparency: Google provides direct links to sources, making it easy for users to check the credibility of information and access in-depth content. ChatGPT, by contrast, doesn’t cite sources in the same way, which can be a drawback for users who want to verify information.
- Breadth of Web Knowledge: Google indexes an enormous portion of the web, offering diverse perspectives and niche knowledge. While ChatGPT draws on a vast database, it may not cover the breadth or specificity found on Google, especially for highly specialized or obscure topics.
- Task-Specific Tools and Services: Google offers specialized tools for specific searches—like Maps, Flights, and Shopping—which streamline many user needs beyond informational queries. ChatGPT, while versatile, is generally limited to text-based responses and analysis.
“While ChatGPT offers a more interactive and personalized search experience, Google Search excels in providing up-to-the-minute information, transparency, and access to a wider range of specific tools and data. ChatGPT’s conversational approach could indeed change how people approach search for tasks that benefit from interactivity, but Google’s ecosystem is still the go-to for users needing comprehensive, real-time data across the full spectrum of the web.”
