OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Search feature accessible to all users without requiring a login or sign-up. Announced on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter), this update marks a significant expansion of the AI-powered web search tool. Previously, the feature was available only to logged-in free-tier users, but now anyone can access ChatGPT’s real-time search capabilities by simply visiting ChatGPT.com.
ChatGPT Search sets itself apart from traditional search engines like Google by offering AI-generated summaries instead of ranked lists of links. This feature allows users to obtain real-time information on topics such as sports, news, and weather. OpenAI’s decision to remove the sign-in requirement could be in response to Deepseek’s disruptive impact on the AI industry, which showcased the potential for building large, complex models at a lower cost.
The search tool was originally branded as SearchGPT and aimed to bridge the gap between AI-generated responses and live web data. Now, with the added feature of natural language processing, users can get more direct answers, reducing the need to sift through numerous links. The user interface has been refined to include maps, images, and structured descriptions, making it easier to find information about local businesses and locations, which competes with Google’s local search capabilities.
While ChatGPT Search is a step toward challenging Google’s dominance, it still faces limitations due to its reliance on external data sources and lacks the vast infrastructure that Google has developed over the years. However, OpenAI continues to refine its offering, positioning it as a growing competitor in the online search market.
