The ChatGPT Search function has been launched, marking OpenAI’s official entry into the artificial intelligence search market, which is expected to pose a threat to search giant Google and AI startup Perplexity! ChatGPT Search is live!
On November 1, OpenAI introduced a new feature called ChatGPT Search, allowing users to search for information on ChatGPT “like Google” and generate a “response article.” More importantly, ChatGPT will “cite sources like Perplexity” within the text, helping users verify information and further eliminate AI hallucination issues. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman noted on social media platform X that search is his favorite feature since the debut of ChatGPT; OpenAI’s media director Varun Shetty stated, “Asking questions through chat and receiving high-quality answers makes the search experience better.”
To optimize the search experience through ChatGPT, OpenAI has signed collaboration agreements with several publishers, including News Corp, European digital publishing group Axel Springer SE, and Time magazine, to ensure that the information in the search function comes from authoritative and timely sources.
Not just news! Weather, stock market, sports, travel… all can be searched
OpenAI pointed out that ChatGPT Search focuses not only on news information but also optimizes and expands local information such as weather, stock market, sports, and travel. Below, Digital Age will provide examples to test the ChatGPT Search function.
News keyword: Hunter card, Silicon Photonics
For recent news, if you search ChatGPT for “Hunter card event,” its summary of the event is as follows: Recently, McDonald’s Taiwan collaborated with the famous Japanese anime “HUNTER×HUNTER” to launch character blind box products. However, before the event officially began, McDonald’s sent complete PR gift boxes to several influencers, causing controversy. In addition to the event overview, ChatGPT also included McDonald’s responses and expert opinions to help users follow the related content.
ChatGPT’s summary of the Hunter card event.
Image / ChatGPT
So, what if the search is for a more technical keyword? Taking “Silicon Photonics” as an example, ChatGPT’s overview is as follows: Silicon Photonics is a technology that combines photonic technology with silicon materials, using components like optical waveguides fabricated on silicon chips to transmit optical signals within the silicon chip. This technology utilizes the high speed and low loss characteristics of optical signals to achieve high-rate, low-power data transmission. In terms of performance for technical terms, ChatGPT’s content overlap with single media sources is relatively high, likely due to the specialized nature of the content. Therefore, in addition to generating a relatively simple summary response, ChatGPT also collects relevant data sources in the sidebar, such as an article titled “What is Silicon Photonics?” compiled by Digital Age.
ChatGPT’s explanation of “Silicon Photonics.”
Image / ChatGPT
Weather keyword: Typhoon disaster statistics
Without inputting the typhoon’s name, ChatGPT is presumed to infer the user’s location based on IP, resulting in statistics on the damage caused by Typhoon Koinu as follows:
ChatGPT’s compilation of typhoon disaster information.
Image / ChatGPT
Stock market keyword: Super Micro Computer stock price
In the past, if you asked ChatGPT for stock market-related news, you either received relatively outdated information or a response indicating it could not generate. However, now ChatGPT fully cites information from third-party sources and summarizes the stock price fluctuation factors as follows: Super Micro Computer, Inc. (stock code: SMCI) has seen significant stock price fluctuations recently. As of October 31, 2024, the stock price closed at $33.07, down 32.68% in a single day. This decline was primarily due to Ernst & Young resigning from its auditing duties, citing concerns about corporate governance and transparency. Additionally, market scrutiny over its accounting practices and client transactions has intensified the downward pressure on its stock price.
ChatGPT’s response to the stock price inquiry.
Image / ChatGPT
Sports keyword: MLB
If you search for MLB, ChatGPT appears to prioritize generating content based on “recent major events.” Therefore, the AI listed the schedule and outcomes of the World Series “Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees” in a table and highlighted player performances as follows: Shohei Ohtani: Playing for the Dodgers, he set a record of 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases in the 2024 season, becoming the first player to achieve the “50-50” milestone. Aaron Judge: A key hitter for the Yankees, he hit 58 home runs in the 2024 season, showcasing impressive performance.
ChatGPT’s generated MLB game status.
Image / ChatGPT
Travel keyword: Taipei night markets
If you search “What night markets are there in Taipei?” ChatGPT will display landmarks directly on an embedded map based on the data source, allowing users to click “Navigate” or “Website” for further information on transportation or background, which is quite practical.
ChatGPT’s generated map of Taipei night markets.
Image / ChatGPT
Why is Google’s dominance in search at risk?
Why will the ChatGPT Search function pose a threat to Google? Clues and business opportunities can be seen in the current active user base of ChatGPT and its “conversion rate.”
Reason 1: A large number of free users, with high growth potential for conversion rates
According to Bloomberg, OpenAI’s CFO Sarah Friar recently revealed that about 75% of OpenAI’s business comes from consumer subscriptions, with ChatGPT currently averaging 250 million active users per week and a conversion rate of approximately 5-6% from free users to paid users. This indicates the potential for the search function to further enhance user payment rates.
Reason 2: ChatGPT currently has no advertising space
Additionally, the web version of ChatGPT currently does not have advertising space, and its clean interface may be one reason users abandon Google Search. According to The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix stated that there are currently no plans to place ads in ChatGPT. However, operating costs for AI search are evidently higher than for traditional search, and it remains unclear how OpenAI will profit from free users. Therefore, Felix also mentioned that free users’ “usage of the latest search model will be subject to some limitations.”
Conclusion: Enhanced practicality, but still need to be wary of AI hallucinations
After preliminary practical evaluations, the usability performance of ChatGPT Search is quite impressive. However, as a generative AI product, ChatGPT Search also faces the risk of providing incorrect answers. Regarding AI hallucinations, Adam Fry, head of ChatGPT Search at OpenAI, pointed out, “Some hallucination phenomena arise simply because the latest information cannot be obtained. Therefore, having up-to-date information support indeed helps the system get closer to real and correct answers during decision-making.” Fry concluded, “If the system makes mistakes, we will strive to maintain transparency.”
Extended reading:
OpenAI declares war on Google! Launching “SearchGPT” to compete in the search engine market, how to use AI search? What are its strengths?
Sources:
ChatGPT,
The Verge,
Bloomberg
This article was initially drafted by AI, organized and edited by Li Xiantai
