An AI Search Engine with Promise, but Low Visibility
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Search, an AI-powered search engine that’s positioning itself as an innovative alternative to Google and follows the path of tools like Perplexity. However, when testing it, we discovered something curious: it seems that OpenAI doesn’t want to highlight it too prominently within its interface.
Why Is ChatGPT Search So Hidden?
The first surprising thing is that OpenAI hasn’t created a standalone service for this search engine. Instead, the option to activate ChatGPT Search is integrated into the usual text box, where users must manually select the “sphere” or “globe” icon to switch to internet search mode. This decision makes the function go unnoticed and raises questions about OpenAI’s deployment strategy.
Testing Phase and a User Experience That Needs Improvement
ChatGPT Search is available for free on chatgpt.com, but its implementation is still limited. The interface barely changes when search mode is activated, making it difficult to distinguish whether the chatbot is responding with its language model or with information extracted in real-time from the web.
Additionally, speed is another aspect to consider. Unlike Google, which displays results instantly, ChatGPT Search needs a few seconds to analyze sources, extract data, and generate a structured response. Although it saves unnecessary visits to external pages, its links to information sources are poorly highlighted and can go unnoticed.
A More Conversational Search
Despite its shortcomings, the great advantage of ChatGPT Search is its focus on conversational search. As with Perplexity, users can interact with the chatbot to refine answers or delve deeper into a topic. This is especially useful for technical queries, such as troubleshooting code errors or understanding complex concepts step by step.
Google Still Wins in Speed and Data Organization
While ChatGPT Search is promising, Google still dominates in direct and quick searches, such as “Real Madrid vs Barcelona result” or “Elon Musk’s age.” It also excels in presenting information with images, summaries, and organized links, something that ChatGPT Search hasn’t yet managed to replicate. Perplexity, on the other hand, has integrated visual options and suggested questions to extend the search.
Accuracy and Truthfulness of Responses
One of the classic problems with AI chatbots is the possibility of generating incorrect answers or “hallucinations.” However, ChatGPT Search mitigates this risk by relying on verified sources. Even so, it’s recommended to review the answers and compare them with other sources, as not even Google is infallible in the quality of results.
Limitations in Real-Time Updates
When querying real-time data, such as the current price of Bitcoin, ChatGPT Search showed inconsistencies and didn’t integrate graphs in its responses. Google also didn’t offer completely up-to-date information but at least included links to real-time sources. Perplexity, meanwhile, stood out by presenting an accurate summary and an integrated graph without requiring an additional request.
Shopping Assistant: Still Much Room for Improvement
AI search engines tend to be direct in product recommendations, but ChatGPT Search and Perplexity still have room for improvement in this aspect. For example, when asking for the “best 65-inch TV for under 1,000 euros,” both offered options with summarized features but without direct purchase links. Perplexity stood out by including Amazon links after insisting, while ChatGPT Search didn’t do so immediately. Google, with its “Shopping” section, remains the best option for these types of searches.
A Promising Future, but Work to Be Done
The feeling ChatGPT Search leaves is that of a tool with great potential but still at a disadvantage compared to Google and Perplexity in several key aspects. However, this is just the beginning, and OpenAI could improve its search engine with future updates.
Should OpenAI Give More Visibility to ChatGPT Search?
It seems contradictory that OpenAI has developed a powerful search engine while integrating it so discreetly. Are they testing the function before a more ambitious launch? Or do they simply prefer that users continue to see ChatGPT as a chatbot rather than a search engine?
For now, AI is transforming the way we search for information, and over time we’ll know if ChatGPT Search can truly compete with the giants in the sector.
