SearchGPT vs. Google: Is There a New Search Engine King in Town?

When you think of searching the internet, Google probably pops into your mind first. But now, there’s a new player trying to make a name for itself: SearchGPT, created by OpenAI, the same folks who made ChatGPT. Currently, SearchGPT is in beta and available only to select users, but people are already buzzing about it and wondering if it has what it takes to compete with Google. Let’s dive into what SearchGPT is all about, what it does well, where it falls short, and what the future might hold.

What Exactly is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT is an AI-powered search engine, which means it uses artificial intelligence to help you find answers on the internet. Unlike traditional search engines like Google, SearchGPT offers a unique twist by making searches feel more like having a conversation. Imagine asking a question and getting a quick, straightforward answer without wading through a bunch of links and ads. Sounds pretty cool, right?

Right now, SearchGPT is in its beta phase, which means it’s still being tested and is only available to a select group of users. Even so, it’s caught people’s attention, sparking curiosity about whether it could really challenge giants like Google and Bing.

What’s Good and Not-So-Good About SearchGPT?

Let’s break down some of the key points where SearchGPT shines and where it could use some work.

What’s Good:

• Great at Summarizing: SearchGPT can pull information from different sources and summarize it neatly, saving you time and effort.
• Conversational Style: It lets you refine your search by asking follow-up questions, almost like chatting with a friend.
• No Ads: Unlike Google, SearchGPT doesn’t flood your screen with ads, making your search experience cleaner and less distracting.

What’s Not-So-Good:

• Limited Variety: Google is known for showing a wide range of results, including specific searches for buying products, finding places, or locating sites. SearchGPT doesn’t quite match that variety yet.
• Big Websites Dominate: SearchGPT tends to favor large, well-established websites. If you’re looking for niche or smaller sites, they might not appear as often in the results.
• Outdated News: The engine has been known to show outdated news results, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for the latest updates.

How Does SearchGPT Stack Up?

An SEO software company called SE Ranking did a study comparing SearchGPT with Google and Bing. They found that SearchGPT’s results are about 73% similar to Bing’s but only 46% similar to Google’s. This means it’s closer to what Bing offers, but still quite different from Google.

Interestingly, the study found that some websites ranking on SearchGPT get little to no traffic from Google. This could be a great opportunity for smaller websites that struggle to make it onto Google’s first page.

One thing that stood out was how much SearchGPT relies on media sources for its results—32% of all its results come from media sites, and this jumps to over 75% for media-related queries. So, if you’re searching for news or media content, SearchGPT might be right up your alley.

What Do Users Think?

The Washington Post talked to early users of SearchGPT, and the feedback was mixed. Some users praised how well SearchGPT summarized information, saying it was often more helpful than Google’s AI-generated answers. Others, however, felt the interface and overall experience didn’t measure up to what smaller competitors, like Perplexity, offer.

A few users also noticed that SearchGPT sometimes gave wrong or “hallucinated” information—basically making stuff up. This is a common problem with many AI tools, but it’s something that needs fixing if SearchGPT wants to compete seriously.

Challenges SearchGPT Needs to Tackle

For SearchGPT to become a real contender against Google, it needs to address some key challenges:

• Accuracy Issues: No one likes getting wrong information, so improving accuracy is a top priority.
• Expanded Capabilities: Google excels in handling searches for shopping, directions, and other specialized queries because it has access to tons of detailed data. SearchGPT will need to step up in these areas to keep up.
• Continuous Improvements: Listening to user feedback and making steady updates will be essential for SearchGPT’s success.

What’s Next for SearchGPT?

Looking ahead, OpenAI has plans to integrate SearchGPT’s best features into ChatGPT, which could make it an even more powerful tool. They’re also considering a subscription model for SearchGPT, which might mean paying for some of its features in the future. This raises interesting questions about how it will compete with free search engines like Google.

Even with the buzz around SearchGPT, Google isn’t going anywhere. In fact, Google’s search revenue continues to grow, showing that it’s still the top choice for many people. But that doesn’t mean SearchGPT can’t carve out its own place. With ongoing development, it might serve different needs or offer a fresh alternative to traditional search engines.

Conclusion: The Potential of SearchGPT

While SearchGPT isn’t ready to knock Google off its throne just yet, it’s definitely shaking things up in the search engine world. Its strengths in summarization and ad-free searches are appealing, but it needs to improve accuracy and expand its capabilities to truly compete. As OpenAI continues to refine SearchGPT based on user feedback, it could become a serious alternative for people looking for something different in their search experience.

So, what do you think? Could SearchGPT be your go-to search engine one day, or will Google remain the king of the search world?