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ChatGPT’s new search engine is here
When ChatGPT launched on Nov. 30, 2022, I knew the web — and the world — would change forever. A week later, I predicted on national radio Google’s days would be numbered. People laughed at me, and I got notes from listeners telling me I was nuts.
Last week, OpenAI made its ChatGPT search engine, SearchGPT, available for paid subscribers. Let me tell you, Google isn’t dead yet, but it’s suffered a mortal wound.
I hate to say it, but I told ya so.
‘What’s the big deal?’
Google Search officially launched on Sept. 4, 1998. It was awesome for a long time, but over the last five to seven years, it’s gotten consistently worse. Results are stuffed with spam and sites rigging the system. Cybercriminals sneak in malware, and scammers aren’t banned from buying ads to dupe people.
Earlier this year, Google added an AI Overview feature within Search, and it’s supposed to be their whiz-bang Gemini solution. I know a few folks in their twenties who worked for the company hired to fix Gemini’s answers. That’s why Gemini often provides responses based on an individual’s agenda, political stance and morals.
Until SearchGPT, ChatGPT’s answers were based on sets of data fed into the platform over time. Now, OpenAI has partnered with providers for news, maps, stocks, weather and sports information. Heads-up: Anything behind a paywall stays off-limits.
‘What should I use it for?’
Anything you’d search for on Google. It’s a totally different vibe, really. Google Search is loaded with ads, and Bing isn’t much better. On SearchGPT, you get a cleaner experience without all the clutter. Take a look:
Note that it knew I was in Phoenix based on my computer’s IP address. I love that it tells me which TV and radio stations are broadcasting the game, too.
Here’s another example of SearchGPT in use:
All right, that’s nothing groundbreaking, but it gets the job done. What about something else?
Yep, it handled my stock question like a champ. It’s helpful to see the full, easily understandable context about an otherwise complex issue.
‘OK, how do I use ChatGPT’s search engine?’
For now, you’ll need a ChatGPT Plus account ($20 per month). It’s coming to free accounts in the next few months. Here’s how to use it:
- Open up a chat as normal. Click the search button (globe icon) below the text input field.
- Type your search and hit Enter.
Click the Sources button to view the sites ChatGPT pulled its info from. You can click on any source link to visit it directly.
✅ “Uh, what if I don’t want to pay $20 a month?” Try Perplexity. It’s the best free option I’ve found that’s comparable to ChatGPT and answers all the same questions as in the above examples. The Bears’ schedule was spot on, and Perplexity’s Nvidia stock answer was so-so. For weather, I got the forecast but not the current temps.
When using Perplexity, you’ll see sponsored (paid for by advertisers) answers sprinkled in, along with related questions at the end. Be careful where you click and what you think is gospel.
‘What about privacy?’
OpenAI isn’t in the ad game — yet. That means fewer eyes on your search activity. With that said, everything you ask ChatGPT is logged and saved. There’s an option to turn this off, but I still wouldn’t disclose anything truly private.
😂 Speaking of, never trust a website with purple terms and conditions. They clearly violet your privacy.
Tags: AI (artificial intelligence), ChatGPT, Google Search, Perplexity, search engine, SearchGPT
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