SearchGPT Launches as ChatGPT’s Real-Time Application

OpenAI brings real-time web search capabilities to ChatGPT, improving AI chatbot performance.

This new feature, announced today, allows ChatGPT to provide up-to-date information with an accurate source code while maintaining its chat style.

Important Updates

ChatGPT can now provide real-time information, including news, sports scores, stock prices and weather information.

Search results are automatically generated based on queries or manually generated using a specific search query.

You can verify information through “Sources” with reference links.

OpenAI says in its announcement:

“Ask a question in a natural, conversational way, and ChatGPT will respond with information from the website. Go deeper into the following questions, and ChatGPT will consider the full context of your conversation to find the right answer good for you.

The company notes that SearchGPT was a prototype and feedback from the test team has been incorporated into this update:

“Thanks to feedback from the SearchGPT brand, we’ve brought the best of SearchGPT to ChatGPT.”

Technology Framework

The search function is powered by a well-designed version of GPT-4o, which is developed using artificial intelligence to generate data and integrate with the company’s o1-preview system.

The platform combines third-party search capabilities with content from direct partners.

OpenAI has partnered with several news organizations, including the Associated Press, Axel Springer, the Financial Times, and Reuters.

Future Development

OpenAI plans to expand its search capabilities, particularly in the retail and travel sectors.

The company also intends to integrate the feature with its Advanced Voice and Canvas products.

All website owners and advertisers can contribute to ChatGPT search results.

Search AI speed

While Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini have provided real-time search for months, ChatGPT’s implementation differs in important ways:

Character Comparison:

• ChatGPT: Provides manual and automatic search, includes a separate input source, and supports interactive maps.
• Google Gemini: Integrated with traditional search, supported by ads, and has a wide knowledge graph.
• Microsoft Copilot: Integrates with Bing, supports multi-mode searches, and includes shopping features.

Meta is reportedly working on its AI search solution, as Google recently announced $49.4 billion in search revenue in Q3. The competition to dominate the search market is higher than ever.

For SEO professionals, this division means optimizing multiple search engines powered by AI, each with unique rankings and content preferences.

Hands-On Testing

Search Engine Journal’s benchmark test reveals promising features and notable limitations that may affect publishers and SEO professionals.

Real Time Search Method

ChatGPT is now able to find the latest information and provide answers that include specified sources.

Initial tests show that the response time is similar to traditional search engines, with results available within minutes.

In recent news, the system has shown strong accuracy.

When asked about the latest Apple product announcements, ChatGPT provided accurate information supported by quotes from major tech publications.

Publisher Advertising and Traffic Tracking

Important for advertisers is the use of UTM parameters for tracking outbound links.

All quotes include “utm_source=chatgpt.com,” which enables advertisers to track traffic from the platform directly in their analytics.

The system divides the sources into two groups: direct quotes from the answers and other research-related results.

Experiments have shown that a single query can generate many unique sources, which can help expand the distribution of traffic among publishers.

Content Freshness & Accuracy

ChatGPT has demonstrated the ability to retrieve articles published within the past hour; however, the analysis revealed some inconsistencies in its perception of time.

When asked about Google’s latest updates, it returned data dating back to 2019 that points to potential problems with dating content.

On the other hand, the system has shown a strong ability to analyze the data by correctly identifying and rejecting false domain validation.

When asked about the missing Google update in October, it correctly pointed to the latest August update.

Disclosure Limitations

The tests revealed a possible bias in official sources in some cases.

For example, when discussing Google’s news update, ChatGPT suppressed official statements while omitting widespread discussion about the negative effects of the industry.

Additionally, OpenAI partner publications are frequently cited in ChatGPT responses.

Availability and accessibility

The search feature starts today for ChatGPT Plus and Group subscribers and users on the SearchGPT waiting list.

Business and academic users will get access in the coming weeks, and a wider rollout to free users is planned for the next few months.

This marks an important development in AI-powered search, but its full impact on search traffic patterns remains unknown.

We encourage you to monitor your reviews for ChatGPT’s transfer methods and evaluate the visibility of your content within the new system.

Related: Data Confirms the Power of SearchGPT Publishing