OpenAI has made its AI-powered web search tool, ChatGPT Search, available to all ChatGPT users, including non-paying subscribers.
Previously limited to premium users, the expanded rollout brings enhanced capabilities and accessibility to the platform.
ChatGPT Search allows users to find summarized answers from multiple online sources, alongside rich media such as photos and YouTube videos. The tool can automatically route queries through web search or users can manually activate it using the “Search the web” icon in the ChatGPT interface.
First launched in October as an upgrade to the experimental SearchGPT prototype, ChatGPT Search uses a fine-tuned version of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model.
It provides information on sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more, complete with links to relevant sources. Users can also refine their queries through follow-up questions.
OpenAI announced improvements to the tool during a livestream on Monday, highlighting faster response times and an upgraded mobile experience. Mobile users can now access better-organized business details, including addresses and phone numbers integrated with Apple Maps on iOS.
Additionally, ChatGPT Search is now compatible with Advanced Voice Mode, enabling real-time conversational searches on mobile and desktop.
The feature can also be set as the default search engine for web browsers, further expanding its reach.
Despite its promise, AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT Search have faced criticism from publishers, who argue they reduce traffic to original websites.
OpenAI says it is addressing these concerns by refining how ChatGPT Search selects relevant articles, determines summary lengths, and incorporates quotes, incorporating feedback from publishing partners to ensure fair representation.
