OpenAI launches SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine to challenge Google’s search dominance

After months of anticipation, OpenAI has officially launched SearchGPT, an AI-driven search engine with real-time internet access.

In an announcement on Thursday, OpenAI revealed that SearchGPT is being selectively rolled out to a limited group of users and publishers for feedback. The move could threaten Google’s search dominance and pitch the company in direct competition with AI-search startup Perplexity.

 “We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources,” OpenAI said on X.

In a detailed blog post, OpenAI described SearchGPT’s capabilities, highlighting its ability to provide summarized search results with source links and contextual follow-up responses.

“We’re testing SearchGPT, a prototype of new search features designed to combine the strength of our AI models with information from the web to give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources. We’re launching to a small group of users and publishers to get feedback. While this prototype is temporary, we plan to integrate the best of these features directly into ChatGPT in the future,” OpenAI said in a blog post.

Following the announcement, shares of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, dipped by 2%. OpenAI has opened sign-ups for the prototype, which is currently in the testing phase with a select group of users and publishers.

The company also mentioned plans to integrate the top features of SearchGPT into ChatGPT in the future.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, major search engines have been striving to incorporate AI into their services. OpenAI’s significant backer, Microsoft, has already introduced AI-powered Bing, while Google launched AI-driven summaries at its developer conference in May.

Meanwhile, OpenAI is not alone. Perplexity, another well-funded AI startup with a staggering valuation of $1 billion, also emerges as a formidable player in the AI search landscape. Founded by a former OpenAI researcher, the company has swiftly garnered attention by offering an AI-native search interface that sets new standards in user experience. Unique in its ability to seamlessly integrate citations, images, and text into search results, Perplexity has amassed a substantial user base, boasting 10 million monthly active users as reported in a January blog post.

We previously reported on OpenAI’s ambitions to dominate the search market back in May.

Interested in trying the prototype? You can sign up here and join the waitlist.

Search GPT

Founded in 2015 by Sam Altman and Elon Musk as a non-profit research institution, OpenAI’s mission is to pave the way for safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, in 2020, it transitioned into a commercial entity, marking a significant shift in its trajectory. Despite internal disruptions in November, including Altman’s temporary departure and subsequent return, the company remains at the forefront of the burgeoning AI market, spurred by the successful launch of ChatGPT in 2022.