Introduction
OpenAI launched SearchGPT, a new search engine prototype that enters the arena. SearchGPT is a new search engine prototype also known as AI search or answer engine. Some users have already been using SearchGPT as a research tool using its browser feature, but with the rise of Bing AI and Microsoft’s Bing Copilot and Google Gemini, OpenAI plans to eventually bring SearchGPT to the Chat GPT interface.
But the question here is: Is SearchGPT truly innovative or just OpenAI trying to catch up? The features of SearchGPT are extremely similar to Perplexity AI. OpenAI’s new search chatbot shares many, many features with the existing search tool Perplexity AI. While OpenAI has more resources and a widely recognized language model, Perplexity AI currently offers more advanced capability.
Table of Contents
SearchGPT Key Features
SearchGPT is a new AI search engine that aims to change how we find information online. Here are some key features of SearchGPT AI search engine: it promises fast responses, accurate data, and relevant information. It also offers direct links to sources and has a partner program for content management.
Speed
Let’s compare it in terms of speed. SearchGPT delivers fast responses by integrating AI and real-time web data. Perplexity AI is about two times faster than SearchGPT in this test. It’s important to note that this is the default Perplexity AI model which provides the fastest results. Search GPT is likely using a custom model built on top of GPT-4 or maybe GPT-3.5.
Accuracy
In the demo, Search GPT made a mistake in providing the incorrect dates for the music festival. Generally, Search GPT was mostly accurate with the other tests on well-sourced recent events. Perplexity AI usually gives accurate responses but can sometimes also add extra details that are incorrect.
Relevance
Relevance of the search data: here you see how Search GPT answers by spotting a location in Northern California. On the other hand, Perplexity AI’s answer is much more detailed by showing the actual location instead of general areas, also providing the best time to visit, image results, and related questions to continue the conversation.
Link Source
Each response includes direct links to the source of the information, allowing users to verify the actual information and explore more about it. There is a sidebar that contains all of the source links. It works similarly to Perplexity AI, with the links at the end of the sentence, but Perplexity AI sources are added much more at the top, whereas the sidebar has a full list of sources. Most links from Search GPT and Perplexity AI are sourced from Bing search AI.
Partner Program
This raises some ethical concerns. OpenAI says they’re going to create a special publisher partner program. This partner program, or publisher program, OpenAI says they plan on working with their partner publishers on Search GPT to help members manage data and performance metrics.
This is just corporate talk, but according to the leak of OpenAI in AdWeek, the members of the program receive priority placement and richer brand exhibition in the chat conversation, and their content benefits from more permanent placement. Technically, that means they are getting the VIP treatment when users can’t tell the difference between their promoted partner content and the organic content. It raises some questions, especially if they’re going to block some sites.
Conversational Visual Content
Interaction users can also ask follow-up questions much like the natural conversation that we have with Chat GPT, but Perplexity AI also had this from the start. However, there is a list of five suggested follow-up questions that are related to the search. Second, another key point that OpenAI talked about in Search GPT is the visual content. The prototype supports displaying visual results, such as images and videos, to enhance understanding and provide embedded videos to dive deeper. While Perplexity AI has visual images and videos, the charts of Search GPT are interactive.
Getting Access
Accessing to SearchGPT is currently limited during the testing phase, but if you are interested, you can join the whitelist for a chance to get your hands on the prototype and try it out yourself. The day that OpenAI announced Search GPT, Google’s stock fell by 3.1% just 2 hours before the OpenAI announcement. Google Gemini updated their features, adding links with a dropdown button they call “chips” at the end of the paragraph.
Like Perplexity AI, it sometimes will show images, sources, and related content at the end so users can explore more. OpenAI is trying to set itself apart from competitors like Google AI and Perplexity AI, which have been criticized for not handling content and attribution well. Only time will tell if Search GPT will be an addition to the search AI competition or just another tool from OpenAI to compete with other successful tools.
Conclusion
SearchGPT is making waves with its new way of searching. It’s quick and up-to-date, but it still needs to improve to match Perplexity AI in speed and accuracy. The exciting features, like interactive charts and visual content, show its potential. The big question is when it will be available for everyone. Once SearchGPT is fully launched and accessible worldwide, it could end up beating Perplexity AI, Google, and other search tools in speed and accuracy. For now, it’s a good idea to watch how it develops and see how it might change the way we search for information online.