ChatGPT’s AI Search Engine now available to all users: Report

Starting today, OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI search engine is rolling out to all users, making it accessible to both free and paid accounts. The announcement was made during OpenAI’s “12 Days of Ship-mas” livestream event, where the company also introduced several exciting updates aimed at improving the user experience. Among the enhancements is a mobile-optimized version of the search feature and the introduction of an advanced voice search mode, providing users with faster and more comprehensive search results.

Initially available only to paid subscribers in October, the ChatGPT search engine has now expanded to the free-tier user base, though access requires users to have an OpenAI account and be logged in. The new search capabilities make ChatGPT more competitive with traditional search engines, blending AI-powered responses with an intuitive interface for discovering information on the web.

One of the key updates for mobile users is a more streamlined and familiar search interface. When users search for specific locations—such as restaurants, hotels, or local attractions—ChatGPT will now display a list of results complete with images, user ratings, and business hours. Tapping on a result reveals more detailed information about the location, including a map with directions, providing a more seamless and efficient experience for users on the go. This improvement brings ChatGPT closer to traditional search engines while still leveraging its AI capabilities to present personalized, context-aware results.

In addition to this, OpenAI has introduced a faster search method designed for specific types of queries, such as booking hotels or finding online services. Rather than generating a full response immediately, ChatGPT will now surface relevant links to websites first, allowing users to quickly explore their options before providing detailed information. This feature is expected to streamline the search process for those seeking immediate results.

For paid subscribers, the search engine now includes an advanced voice mode that delivers real-time, up-to-date information from the web. This voice search feature aims to make it easier for users to access information hands-free while receiving the most current details available, further enhancing the convenience of using ChatGPT for both general inquiries and specific tasks.

With these updates, OpenAI continues to expand the capabilities of ChatGPT, positioning the AI search engine as a more dynamic and versatile tool for users looking for both conversational answers and traditional search engine results.