OpenAI just gave ChatGPT a search boost — and it's coming for Google
Now available, the new version of ChatGPT Search can interpret more complex questions, run multiple search queries at once and even handle visual inputs like screenshots.
Combined with better memory and voice tools in GPT-4o, it's starting to look a lot like the kind of all-purpose search assistant Google's been trying to build, but in chatbot form.
Feature
ChatGPT Search (GPT-4o)
Google AI Search / AI Overviews
Query Style
Conversational, multi-turn
Traditional search input, evolving toward AI summaries
Source Transparency
Links shown under citations (but limited detail)
Inline links with mixed source visibility
Live Web Access
Yes (with browsing enabled on)
Yes, but not always clear when results are real-time
Image Understanding
Accepts images + screenshots for context-aware responses
Limited visual interpretation (outside of Lens)
Tone & Use Cases
Personalized, assistant-style responses
Factual, one-shot summaries for faster results
Ad Integration
None (currently)
Google Ads + Shopping baked into some queries
Memory & Context
Can recall past prompts and preferences (in GPT-4o)
No long-term memory, personalization only if enabled
Primary Strength
Deep context + synthesis across multiple domains
Quick facts, maps, and shopping results
ChatGPT Search and Google AI Overviews take different approaches to answering queries.
Google AI Overviews pull from existing web content to generate summarized answers at the top of search results, often quoting or paraphrasing websites.
In contrast, ChatGPT Search blends AI-generated responses with live web results from trusted sources, offering a more conversational experience.
While Google favors brevity and directness, ChatGPT provides more context, personalization and reasoning. ChatGPT also allows follow-up questions in a chat format, making it feel more interactive. Google is still a traditional search engine with AI layered on top — ChatGPT is search reimagined through conversation.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
The upgraded ChatGPT Search now offers:
So far, I've also noticed cleaner answers, fewer hallucinations and faster response time. As a power user with ChatGPT Plus, I've noticed a major shift because GPT-4o is enabled by default.
With every prompt, responses feel sharper and more confident, with less of the filler or second-guessing I used to get.
It's like the model knows what I'm asking before I finish typing, which is without a doubt the upgraded memory in ChatGPT Plus. ChatGPT Search is free for everyone, but Plus, Team and Pro users may experience even more of a streamlined search than those using the free tier.
Google Search still dominates traditional queries, especially for quick facts, maps, shopping, or local recommendations. Environmentally, it uses less energy, which is why it might be the better option for short queries. But if you want any of the following, ChatGPT Search just got a lot more competitive:
And while OpenAI says it's not trying to "kill Google," CEO Sam Altman admitted earlier this year that he doesn't use Google anymore. In this not-so-subtle statement, the CEO has made it clear that search habits are shifting.
ChatGPT Search has become a legit search companion. More than a chatbot with search capabilities, the AI has the ability to understand what you're really asking and how best to answer. While Google is still the default for millions, this recent update from OpenAI shows that the tech giant is aiming higher and getting closer to Google.
Do you use ChatGPT or Google for your searches? What is your deciding factor? Let us know in the comments!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
43 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Google makes it easier to let family members use smart home devices
Google Home has a new update that will make it easier to let family members or guests control devices in your smart home. The newest Google Home update introduces "Admin" and "Member" roles. Like many systems, the Admin roles will have full control over the the devices, services and users connected to the smart home. Members, meanwhile, will only have "basic" access to device controls, like letting your kid turn off the lights or unlock a smart door knob. The lower level role can get additional privileges via "Settings" access that lets them have some control over device and home-wide settings. There's also Activity access that lets Members keep watch on recent events, like when packages are delivered and can be seen via the doorbell camera. The Member level has been in testing since December 2024, but it appears ready for the public now. Additionally, Google is making it easier to add a child under 13 to the Home app. You'll set up your kid with a Google account through the Family Link. From there you can invite them to Google Home, where they'll be added as a Member by default. Previously, to set up something similar you need to use a combination of Family Link, Google Home or Google Assistant to add your child to the smart home. Apparently, many people struggled to do so. The update is version 3.33 for your Google Home app. It should be available now, if your app didn't automatically update check your settings and see if the update is available. Unlike most Google updates, there is no roll out language so we expect this one to be available to everyone as of June 30. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Google Ends Recipe Pilot That Left Creators Fearing Web-Traffic Hit
Google has ended tests of a feature that would have let users open a snapshot of cooking-recipe content directly in web search results — a welcome development for creators and food bloggers who were concerned about eroding traffic to their sites. In recent months, Alphabet Inc. -owned Google has tested Recipe Quick View, which showed some food bloggers' content in search. The company framed the feature as an attempt to help users determine whether they are interested in a recipe before visiting a website. But some bloggers said they feared that the product would keep users from clicking through to their sites, depriving them of traffic and ad revenue.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Apple's next AI move could change everything for Siri
Siri, we need to talk! Apple's (AAPL) once-glorified assistant has fallen way behind flashier AI like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter These days, it seems it's stuck in 2015, while other AI models rewrite the game. Apple's assistant continues tinkering with features but rarely delivers the lightning-quick, context-aware replies we're seeing on ChatGPT-powered platforms. However, after years of stunted updates and stiff competition from Google, OpenAI, and Amazon, Siri is potentially on the brink of a reinvention, redefining Apple Intelligence in the process. So here we are: Siri, would you reinvent yourself with an AI ringer behind the curtain? Whispers suggest this gamble could pay off and finally turn Apple stock's fortunes around. Siri was arguably Apple's secret sauce. It felt ahead of its time, a futuristic sidekick that wowed users back in 2011. Talking to your phone at the time felt like something straight out of a sci-fi flick. It made stuff like reminders, texts, and smart home tricks hands-free long before anyone else really nailed it. Fast forward to now, and Siri's crown has slipped. At the same time, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok have all evolved into sharp, context-savvy bots. Apple tried to turn things around with its massive "Apple Intelligence" rebrand in mid-2024, backed by savvy on-device models and proactive help. Related: Tesla stock sinks fast as Musk-Trump clash turns ugly However, by Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference 2025, Siri was basically missing in action, with Apple hyping new real-time translation and visual lookup. Even Marketing SVP Greg Joswiak admitted Siri flopped quality checks this cycle, a major letdown for Apple users and stockholders alike. Meanwhile, rivals like Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT have surged ahead in generative smarts. However, it looks like Apple's finally ready to flip the script. Recent reports suggest that Siri's brain power could potentially be outsourced, marking a major U-turn for a company that has looked to build everything in-house. Also, the shake-up follows big leadership moves, too. More Tech Stock News: Veteran Tesla analyst makes boldest robotaxi call yetTesla robotaxi launch hits major speed bumpAmazon aims to crush Elon Musk's Robotaxi AI boss John Giannandrea's out; Mike Rockwell is now steering "Apple Intelligence." Wall Street's into it, with Apple stock in the green. Nevertheless, balancing this pivot with privacy promises could make or break Apple's AI comeback. Apple is exploring a major Siri upgrade, but it might not come from Apple's own AI lab. According to fresh reports, the Cupertino giant is looking to ink deals to power Siri's next chapter with OpenAI or Anthropic. That's a seismic shift for a business that prides itself on developing everything in-house. Apple shares popped 2% on the news, signaling Wall Street likes the idea of Siri finally getting smarter. The company has reportedly asked both OpenAI and Anthropic to train AI models that can run on Apple's cloud servers. That essentially means a much faster rollout and fewer AI hiccups. Related: Gemini, ChatGPT may lose the AI war to deep-pocketed rival It also hints that Apple's own generative AI tech might not be up to snuff. Still, these are early days. Apple's already shelling out billions to run its own models in the cloud starting next year. Hence, the backup plan might just be insurance. It's important to note that this isn't the first time Big Tech has borrowed AI brains. Samsung used Google's Gemini for its smartphones, and Amazon's Alexa tapped Anthropic's Claude. If Apple follows suit, OpenAI or Anthropic could lock in another blue-chip customer, pushing both further ahead in the AI arms race. More importantly, Siri's long-awaited glow-up might actually deliver this time. In addition, Apple stock hasn't had the best of years on the stock market. It's down more than 17% year to date, and close to 18% in the past six months alone. Related: Veteran analyst drops jaw-dropping Tesla stock target The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
