OpenAI Release 8: ChatGPT Search Engine Now Fully Available to Users

2024-12-17

During its recent live event, part of the "12-Day Launch Campaign," OpenAI announced that the ChatGPT search engine is now accessible to all users. Previously, the search engine was exclusively available to paying subscribers in October. Now, it is available at the free tier, provided users have an account and are logged in.

On mobile devices, the ChatGPT search functionality has been enhanced to provide an experience more akin to traditional search engines. When users search for specific locations, such as restaurants or local attractions, ChatGPT displays a list of search results featuring images, ratings, and operating hours. Selecting a location allows users to access additional details and view maps with directions directly within the app.

Additionally, ChatGPT has introduced a feature designed to expedite users' searches for specific types of websites, such as "hotel booking sites." Unlike instant reply generation, ChatGPT now first presents links to relevant websites, followed by detailed information for each option. Notably, for premium subscribers using the advanced voice mode, ChatGPT can automatically provide the latest online information.

In the earlier stages of the live event, OpenAI also unveiled the text-to-image model Sora and introduced the ChatGPT Pro subscription service priced at $200 per month.