(Credit: OpenAI)
OpenAI is now rolling out ChatGPT's Search function to all logged-in users for free after first launching it for paid Plus and Team subscribers in October. Advanced Voice Mode has also been added to ChatGPT Search, letting paying users talk to ChatGPT's audio personas for a more conversational search experience.
ChatGPT Search appears via a globe icon and can relay web-based information. The AI-powered search tool will provide relevant links to sources when it answers a query.
According to OpenAI, its AI search engine can deliver up-to-date "sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more." But the chatbot has provided incorrect responses and fake citations in the past, so fact-checking is highly recommended (especially if you're planning to attend real-life events it suggests, for example).
To begin a voice search, click the wave icon located on the prompt bar. When your conversation is over, a transcript will be available in a separate thread.
In addition to its wider search engine rollout, OpenAI has updated the ChatGPT mobile app. Searches for spots like hotels, local attractions, and restaurants will now show results with images, ratings, and open hours.
These announcements are part of OpenAI's ongoing holiday-inspired marathon, which has already included the rollout of its text-to-video generator named Sora and a $200 ChatGPT Pro tier.
If you're tired of Google, you can make ChatGPT your default search engine if you use Google's Chrome browser. To do this, install the ChatGPT Search extension from the Chrome extension store. All subsequent browser searches will then open within a ChatGPT interface. If you'd like to go back to your previous search engine, you can just disable or remove the extension.