ChatGPT has officially launched as an AI-powered web search engine, providing real-time information to subscribers, with free, enterprise, and education users gaining access in the coming weeks. This new feature is built directly into ChatGPT’s interface, allowing users to conduct web searches either automatically or by manual selection. With this update, ChatGPT now competes more closely with Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini, both of which have long offered live web capabilities.
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OpenAI’s search lead, Adam Fry, demonstrated the new functionality by searching for Apple stock and relevant news, which displayed a detailed stock chart, upcoming earnings, and clickable citations linked to original sources. In another example, Fry searched for Italian restaurants in San Francisco, which returned an interactive map with pins for recommended spots, allowing follow-up queries to refine results (e.g., searching for “more casual” options).
Available across iOS, Android, and desktop apps for macOS and Windows, ChatGPT’s search integration was developed with multiple technologies, including Microsoft’s Bing, and is built on a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o. Initially rolled out to a limited audience under the name “SearchGPT,” the model has since evolved based on user feedback.
Previously, ChatGPT’s knowledge was constrained by a training data cutoff between 2021 and 2023. Now, with live search enabled, OpenAI has stated that it will continue to refresh its training data but separately from the model’s web search updates, ensuring users have the latest advancements in AI.
This launch arrives at a competitive moment, as companies like Meta are reportedly developing their own AI-driven search tools. Meanwhile, Google recently expanded its AI-powered Overview feature globally, marking a notable shift as search giants embrace AI. While the timing aligns closely with Alphabet’s Q3 earnings report (where Google Search revenue hit $49.4 billion), Fry stated the release was independently scheduled.
One major difference is that ChatGPT’s search is ad-free, unlike Google’s ad-driven model, which generates significant revenue from search promotions. OpenAI currently has “no plans” to introduce ads within ChatGPT, although it remains unclear how search access will be managed for free users, who will face limitations on the frequency of search queries.
AI-powered search also faces legal scrutiny. News Corp and The New York Times have filed suits against Perplexity, accusing it of copyright violations. OpenAI has also faced litigation from The New York Times, alleging that its models improperly used the media company’s content for training. In response, Fry highlighted OpenAI’s approach to responsible content use, noting that publishers can opt out of OpenAI’s web crawler, which respects paywalls and partnered content.
OpenAI has also built alliances with major media groups, including Hearst, Condé Nast, Axel Springer, and News Corp, offering these partners more control over how their content appears in ChatGPT, though without prioritized visibility in results. Fry believes that access to real-time data will improve ChatGPT’s accuracy, as having the latest information mitigates the risk of “hallucinations.”
With the U.S. presidential election just around the corner, ChatGPT’s search aims to emphasize reliable sources for election-related queries, with Fry noting that OpenAI is especially focused on promoting accurate, authoritative information during this critical period.
