SearchGPT: Another Failed Attempt to Take Down Google?
The new AI search engine released by OpenAI
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OpenAI recently launched SearchGPT. Sam Altman's team aims to combine their AI models with web information through this initial prototype. The goal is to generate more accurate and precise responses.
Immediately, a wave of related content began to emerge, featuring positive headlines like "RIP Google Search" and "Say goodbye to Google…say hello to SearchGPT." However, there are also those who remain skeptical, with ironic posts such as "Just got access to SearchGPT. Not impressed" and "SearchGPT by OpenAI disappointed me."
In this article, we will examine some of the features of SearchGPT. More importantly, we will look at how this new tool might impact, or not impact, search engines like Google, Bing, and Perplexity.
A New Way to Search
Unfortunately, the initial release of SearchGPT is limited. However, that doesn't bother me too much. It's understandable that OpenAI wants to build high expectations and also give some users the chance to start testing SearchGPT.
Let's take a look at their announcement:
So, what does this release offer?
Since SearchGPT uses AI for search functions, it will provide web answers that require much less effort to find what we’re looking for, while also delivering relevant results.
Additionally, it will include sources for each generated response, something that has been frequently requested for ChatGPT. OpenAI aims to connect users with content creators through these citations.
Will search engines really be affected?
This release leaves me with mixed feelings. It has some interesting features worth highlighting, but at the end of the day, it’s just another AI on the market. OpenAI seems obsessed with spoiling Google’s party. It feels like a marketing game where they seem more interested in each other than in what users really need.
Let’s not overlook Perplexity or Bing (just to name a couple) that have already been working on incorporating these updates. But, of course, if it doesn’t say ChatGPT or OpenAI, it seems like it doesn’t matter in the AI world. This makes me question the real impact of such announcements in the tech world.
SearchGPT aims to change the way we search. I’m talking about how the advertising business might be affected. Many SEO creators are likely questioning the future of their jobs and the dynamics of this new entry. However, in recent years, Google Search has undergone numerous changes that seemed to predict the end of careers in advertising. Yet, that didn’t happen. On the contrary, there were more opportunities to develop a myriad of new strategies.
I appreciate that OpenAI is making an effort. You can see their dedication. However, I prefer to wait a bit longer to see how this product evolves. The excitement around SearchGPT has been moderate, perhaps because it’s not yet available to the entire market. Claiming that this new AI product will completely overshadow traditional search engines is quite premature.
Google is still, by far, the leader in the search business, despite its setbacks. To be honest, I still use their search engine frequently, almost daily.
The following image illustrates my point about giving SearchGPT some more time in the market.
I have no doubt that OpenAI is focused on enhancing its AI products, starting with ChatGPT. However, looking back, the initial hype is now beginning to settle down. In this context, SearchGPT might be an attempt to stay relevant and signal to the AI community: hey everyone, we have more products than just ChatGPT.
But the next question is, how many AI products will be launched before users are convinced they can use them in their daily lives?
I'm not a fortune-teller. I don't pretend to be one. I speak based on facts. And the reality is that we have seen these kinds of launches before. It’s not just a rehash, definitely. It’s more than that. But let's not let tech giants sell us excuses to hide what is evident to all of us.