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Last week, OpenAI released its highly anticipated search product, ChatGPT Search, to compete with Google. The industry had been preparing for this moment for months, leading Google to incorporate AI-generated answers into its core product earlier this year, resulting in some embarrassing errors. This mishap caused many to believe that OpenAI’s search engine could be a potential “Google killer.”
After using ChatGPT Search as my default search engine for about a day, I ultimately switched back to Google. While OpenAI’s search product showed promise and provided a glimpse of what an AI-search interface could look like in the future, it was still too impractical for daily use.
ChatGPT Search proved useful at times for quickly providing real-time answers to questions that would typically require sifting through numerous ads and SEO-optimized articles. Along with other AI search tools like Perplexity and You.com, it presented concise answers in a user-friendly format, complete with links to information sources and brief snippets for context. However, it often fell short in everyday practicality.
In its current state, ChatGPT Search struggles with the most common type of Google searches: short, navigational queries. These brief searches, typically consisting of just a few keywords, represent the majority of searches on Google. Queries like “Celtics score,” “cotton socks,” “library hours,” and “cafes near me” are what make Google the go-to gateway to the internet for billions of users.
My experience testing ChatGPT Search highlighted its limitations, particularly in handling short queries effectively. Unable to consistently deliver accurate information or web pages, I found myself reverting to Google Search during the trial period.
I attempted to check the live NBA game score between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves by typing “Nuggets score” into ChatGPT Search. However, it inaccurately reported the score, indicating that the Nuggets were winning when they were actually losing. Similarly, it provided outdated information when asked about companies reporting earnings that could impact stock prices.
While the initial rollout of ChatGPT Search was not flawless, OpenAI has acknowledged the feedback and plans to enhance the feature based on user input in the coming months. Given the significance of search as a major business on the internet, OpenAI’s entry into this space could pose a legitimate threat to its main competitor, Google. As ChatGPT Search continues to evolve, it may represent a considerable area of growth and investment for the startup.
ChatGPT Search: A Closer Look
To its credit, ChatGPT Search excels at answering long, detailed research questions that may not be easily addressed by traditional search engines. Queries like “What American professional sports league has the most diversity?” are handled adeptly by ChatGPT Search, thanks to its ability to scrape multiple sources and provide relevant answers within seconds.
Improved Web Browsing Experience
Compared to the original ChatGPT version with web access, the search feature offers a more user-friendly interface for browsing the internet. The inclusion of clear links to information sources enhances the overall experience, especially for news-related queries that leverage ChatGPT’s media partnerships.
Challenges with Short Queries
Despite its strengths, OpenAI acknowledges that ChatGPT Search faces challenges with short, concise queries commonly used on platforms like Google. Users tend to pose more natural, conversational questions, which may require enhancements for a seamless search experience. The reliance on Microsoft Bing and the nature of large language models could be contributing factors to the limitations with short queries.
Future Improvements and Market Competition
OpenAI and other AI search tools like Perplexity are striving to enhance their capabilities in handling short queries to compete with established search engines like Google. While these AI products offer valuable insights and surface information that may be overlooked in traditional searches, they have yet to fully replace the comprehensive web navigation features of Google.
Moving Forward
As OpenAI and Perplexity continue to refine their search products, the quest to create a viable alternative to Google remains ongoing. The focus on addressing the unique challenges posed by short queries is crucial for these AI tools to establish themselves as credible substitutes for mainstream search engines. In the evolving landscape of digital information retrieval, the development of innovative search technologies will shape the future of online search experiences.
