OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search, the AI-driven web search tool, is now available to all ChatGPT users — including those on the free tier.
By default, ChatGPT will decide when to use the search feature for a query, but users can also manually activate it by tapping the new “Search the web” button. ChatGPT Search delivers summarized answers pulled from multiple online sources, often including “rich” elements like embedded images or YouTube videos.
Initially launched in October as an upgraded version of the SearchGPT prototype, ChatGPT Search is powered by OpenAI’s fine-tuned GPT-4o model. It provides real-time information, such as sports scores, news updates, or stock prices, alongside source links for further exploration. Users can even refine their search through follow-up questions.
Previously limited to premium subscribers, ChatGPT Search now caters to non-paying users as well. OpenAI also announced performance improvements, making the feature notably faster and allowing it to be set as the default search engine in any browser. On mobile, users will notice cleaner layouts for business information, including addresses (integrated with Apple Maps for iOS users) and phone numbers.
Additionally, ChatGPT Search now integrates with Advanced Voice Mode, OpenAI’s real-time conversational feature. Soon, users across both mobile and desktop will be able to access current web data while interacting with ChatGPT via voice.
However, not everyone is thrilled. Some publishers argue that AI search tools, including ChatGPT Search and Google’s AI Overviews, hurt traffic to their sites. A recent study suggested AI Overviews alone might slash publisher visits by 25% due to reduced reliance on direct web links.
In response, OpenAI claims it has taken feedback seriously, refining how ChatGPT Search identifies relevant articles, tailors summary lengths, and handles article quotations.
Clearly, OpenAI sees ChatGPT Search as a significant path for growth — and it’s determined to keep improving the experience.
