SearchGPT vs. Google: The Evolution of Web Search

From “No one can beat Google” to a debate trending in the digital market about “Is Google in danger?”, the market has completely taken a U-turn. If you don’t know about it, then here it is.

Open AI has introduced its search engine prototype, named ‘SearchGPT’. It is an artificial intelligence-driven search engine that will completely revolutionise data consumption in a few years. While Google has enjoyed its monopoly in the search arena, the era has begun where it can experience loss in users due to users’ curiosity about experiencing newness and time utility.

However, various experts have claimed that ‘SearchGPT’ cannot dominate Google due to its ingenuity and being a paid search engine. Yes, you heard it right, SearchGPT will only be accessible to ChatGPT plus users, which can create a huge difference in initial curiosity and the real number of users. 

Like this, a lot of questions are running through the mind fueled up with various expert opinions that need to be discussed. But one sure thing is that in a very short span, we are going to witness the “SearchGPT vs Google” battle around.

Let’s delve deeper as below is a comprehensive breakdown of everything the digital market is witnessing.

SearchGPT and Google: A Comparative Analysis

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What is SearchGPT?

As discussed, SearchGPT is an AI-powered search engine developed by Open AI. Considered ChatGPT’s big brother, SearchGPT is likely to produce direct and real-time results from the web. It is currently in its prototype phase and is accessible to a few of the users only. 

But despite being accessible to a few of the users, it has got unreal hype in the market due to its unique promises during the SearchGPT announcement. The promises include:

• Leveraging GPT (generative pre-transformed transformer), to onboard relevant search results only, which Google lacks sometimes.
• It can provide search results in a conversational context, allowing users to ask follow-up questions. It can create a loop dedicated to a single search query.
• It can provide real-time answers with linked references, doubling up the user search experience and convenience.

Are Google And SearchGPT Serving The Same Thing?

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As OpenAI launches SearchGPT, here’s your reminder about Google AI Overviews. Recently, Google also announced an update where you will get an overview generated by AI, for your search query. However, the overview would facilitate references too. But does that make it a powerful competitor of SearchGPT?

Let’s have a look at the difference that makes both of these search engines different from each other: Search GPT vs. Google

1. Post-Results Behaviour

Apart from the results, another thing that matters is how the respective search engines behave. If you have ever noticed, Google AI Overviews, after showcasing a result summary at the top, brings a section named ‘People Also Ask’ that includes 3-4 linked questions. This can improve user experience only if the user wants to process the question. Notably, many times, the questions are interrelated to the main query but lack specificity.

However, SearchGPT, rather than bringing recommendations, opens doors for users to initiate conversation and ask whatever they want to know.

Both of the features contribute to the user experience through their perspective. Where AI Overviews is trying to bring time utility for the users, SearchGPT brings in personalisation.

2. Advertisements

Believe it or not, Google loves featuring advertisements. Powered by Google Ads services, today a fraction of search results will feature paid results, which is a major reason why people are losing trust in Google’s search results. People have even complained about how they have to scroll in-depth even for the simplest query sometimes.

Here is the saviour. OpenAI SearchGPT will not feature any ads, streamlining the search process, as it should be. It’s aims for relevant and high-quality information.

3. Interface

As far as experts have experienced, SearchGPT holds a better interface than Google. The popular search engine includes various factors capable of distracting focused readers. These factors include numerous advertisements based on user data, cluttered features, media like images, videos and last but not least, regular algorithm updates. This makes it very hard to operate for both the users and businesses who want to leverage Google SEO services.

Amid this drawback, the honest SearchGPT reviews have told how the platform has kept its promise to provide a neater and easier interface compared to Google’s increasingly cluttered search page. Users will witness a straightforward section to ask questions, making it easier to see information faster and without any distractions.

4. Partnering With Publishers

Sooner, we will be witnessing the merge of AI in digital marketing. As per OpenAI’s claim, SearchGPT too will be collaborating with publishers (business websites, personal blogs and news articles). The results it will appear, will be linked with the original references.

This factor makes SearchGPT, a considerable substitute for the Search Engine Master “Google”. While it can be a tougher fact to digest, that’s just a part of the change, AI warned us all about during its establishment.

SearchGPT vs. Google: Insights from Experts

Not only internet surfers are facing confusion and curiosity, but it has also reached up to the best of the industry leaders. With their different opinion, let’s understand where the tech industry is leading, with 3600 points of view.

Explore the thoughtful insights from industry experts to understand how these two giants differ in their approach to delivering information and what this means for users seeking answers in an increasingly complex digital world.

1. Sam Altman, CEO Of AI

Let’s begin exploring the museum of opinions from the mind behind the SearchGPT itself. On July 26, 2024, Sam Altman brought in a notice about SearchGPT through X.

Key Takeaways:

• Debut: Altman introduces SearchGPT as an effort to fill in the scope of improvement in the search experience. As experts define it, It is more conversational rather than promotional. This makes the user feel like they are being guided rather than being left with hundreds of websites and their intuition.
• Scope Of Improvement: He cleared that the goal of introducing the new search engine as a prototype is to work on it even harder, run trials, fill in the loophole and then integrate the tech into ChatGPT. However, the interesting fact is that despite being in an under-developed stage, it has already surpassed a huge amount of expectations.
• Real-Time Success: He is clear that the focus is on nurturing real-time results to enhance user experience. Not getting real-time search results is one of the most discussed drawbacks of GPT. Hence, the team is working on it.

2. Neil Patel, Digital Marketing Expert

Neil Patel’s contribution to the buzz around left everyone with 2 different Views. One where everyone, especially the marketers stood extremely excited about the forthcoming evolution, Neil Patel reminded them of the strong roots Google has created. Have a look at his opinion.

Key Takeaways:

• A Chapter Revisited: Neil Patel initiated his statement by recalling the impact ChatGPT drew on the digital revolution. He suggested not relying on SearchGPT completely, as SearchGPT doesn’t need to have the same success rate as it has.
• Lack Of Reasons: Patel expressed that the whole idea of SearchGPT does not look revolutionary, which makes it less compelling to switch from Google. He viewed it as a mere extension of ChatGPT, that can bring results, support follow-up and provide links to references.
• Search Engine Monopoly: He asked whether the new search engine possesses qualities that can beat all-time favourite Google. He continued by reflecting on how most marketers are satisfied with the results shown on Google, which makes it necessary for SearchGPT to come up with uniqueness that can replace the search engine giant.

This opinion by Neil Patel ignited the ongoing battle of SearchGPT vs. Google even more, leading to two perspectives.

3. Michael Lin, Founder and CEO of Wonders.ai

Key Takeaways:

• Solid Strategy: Lin tickles over the strategic timing decided by the team, which is right before the annual Google I/O conference. He expressed that the timings are perfect and reflect the strong ambition of Open AI to leave a remarkable footprint in the search engine world.

• Prototype Accessibility: He also shared about the limited accessibility of SearchGPT. Currently, due to being in the developing stage, the prototype has been distributed among a small group of 10,000 users. The development team is focusing on serving top-notch convenience to the surfers.

• Smart Integration: According to him, SearchGPT is the perfect testament to integrating past-proven technologies with future innovation. He shared that this new search station has smartly utilised the technology of ChatGPT-4 to provide users with accurate links.

So, this is how these expert opinions have kept the buzz of SearchGPT ignited. Right from Sam Altman’s minimalistic announcement, and Neil Patel taking the debate to an all-new perspective to getting some great insights from Michael Lin, social media has played a huge role in circulating awareness of this forthcoming evolution.

SearchGPT vs. Google: Implications for Digital Marketers

Does not matter whether you are looking up to Search GPT or have made up your mind to stick to Google, if you are a digital marketing service provider or creator you have to consider both of them equally. It might be a little harder for you to tweak your focus from Google, a search engine that has dominated the market for the past 20 years, but to remain relevant, it is very crucial.

Below are some points to remember while boarding on a journey of search engine transformation:

a) Conversations To Be Welcomed

As discussed, Open AI’s Search GPT is going to transform the user search experience by transforming the process into a conversational tone. This means, more follow-up questions would be asked by the user’s side. This makes it important to create highly targeted content.

With this evolution, marketers need to understand that now merely translating queries into keywords will not work, rather they have to devote a fraction of focus on user behaviour too. Also, Search GPT’s capability to process natural language allows it to analyse the intention behind words. This means that the idea of leveraging keywords is going to change drastically.

b) Integration Of High-Quality Media

Multimedia integration in digital marketing has always been promoted. Using high-quality media can help AI to recognize your content more deeply. Hence, after in-depth analysis, various industry leaders have suggested using high-quality images, infographics, static charts and much more.

Although this feature of Search GPT has not been officially recognized, with the consistent improvement taking place in the search engine battlefield, it is not far to witness to adding reference links to images also.

c) Personal Branding Can Lead

Here comes the unexpected!

Recently, OpenAI has collaborated with digital creators/publishers like Conde Nast, The Associated Press, and Vox which has highlighted the possibility of content creators and publishers leading the SERPs.

Witnessing this is a great indication that in the coming days, on-page SEO efforts might get slightly replaced with thought leadership and personal branding. This will not only 10X the user experience but also give a boom to unique content creation, ultimately increasing the scope of the creator’s economy.

Hence, building strong relationships with high-authority publications and extending hands for branding strategies like earned media and digital PR can help you to land great placements in both, SearchGPT and SEO.

d) As Always, High-Quality Content

Changes might come and go, but the quality of content can never be compromised. No matter how well you adorn your content with visuals or how wisely you use SEO strategies, until and unless the content is not aligning with user and readability standards, it’s all in vain.

High-quality content means:

• Helpful: Content that contains practical solutions and values
• Clear: Content which is clear and concise, including quick actions
• Engaging: Content that hooks the readers until the conclusion
• Honest And Updated: Content that has honest and real-time data
• Aligned With Business Goals: Content that gives you the best returns without sounding promotional, i.e. content able to sell value.

Conclusion

In summary, those times have gone by when things used to be static. From the smallest change in SEO strategy to shifting the point of focus to all new search stations, it’s all going to be normalised.

Recently, OpenAI launched its prototype named SearchGPT, which can replace Google with its solid interface and accept follow-up questions, making the search experience quite personal.

This has created curiosity among internet surfers, especially marketers. While various opinions by experts are navigating the digital debate in various directions, a lot of expectations have been registered for the final version of SearchGPT.

Let’s see how it goes and transforms the search engine market colonised by Google.

 

Frequently Asked Question

1. Is SearchGPT better than Google?

It depends on user preferences and needs. SearchGPT offers a more conversational and personalized search experience, allowing for follow-up questions and no ads, which some users may find beneficial. However, Google has a well-established infrastructure with extensive data and a vast user base, making it a reliable choice for many.

2. How good is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT is still in its prototype phase and has generated significant hype for its promises of real-time, conversational results. While it shows potential for enhanced user interaction and streamlined results, its overall effectiveness will depend on further development and user feedback.

3. What does SearchGPT do?

SearchGPT is a search engine built on AI. It aims at presenting answers to queries in a conversational format so that pertinent follow-up questions are achievable, and the answers are presented in real-time with related references, for the betterment of the overall search experience.

4. What is the difference between ChatGPT and SearchGPT?

ChatGPT is essentially an interactive AI model that produces content in text format and interacts by generating interactive dialogues. In direct opposition, SearchGPT is more of a search engine that relies on the capabilities of ChatGPT to serve interactive search results and as much as users need with direct answers.

5. How to use SearchGPT?

Currently, SearchGPT is accessible only to a limited number of ChatGPT Plus users. To use it, one would need to be part of this user group and can then engage with it by entering queries in a conversational style to receive relevant search results and follow-up options.