ChatGPT Search is an innovative alternative that challenges Google by offering direct answers and an AI-powered chat-based search experience.
ChatGPT Search (CGS) is transforming search technology with its innovative, chat-based, AI-driven approach that directly challenges Google’s market dominance. By prioritizing direct, intuitive responses, CGS minimizes the need for users to navigate through countless search results, effectively addressing immediate and contextual inquiries with precision.
CGS allows users to refine their searches with follow-up questions, considering the context of previous interactions to provide more accurate results. This dynamic approach engages users by offering a more comprehensive and conversational experience.
Direct Answers and Source Attribution
Instead of traditional search links, CGS provides users with direct answers and clear links to sources, making it easier to verify information and build trust.
Integration with Multiple AI Models
CGS offers users access to various AI models, presenting diverse perspectives and solutions that help them broaden their understanding.
Less Noise
Unlike Google’s ad-based revenue model, CGS provides an ad-free experience, ensuring a user-centered approach free from distracting elements.
ChatGPT Search Results: Accuracy and Timeliness According to Google and Bing
ChatGPT Search combines Bing’s search index with its technology (including unique crawlers and citation methods). Therefore, websites not indexed by Bing do not appear in CGS results. Also, while ranking higher in Bing leads to more visibility in CGS, this correlation is not absolute. CGS’s three separate crawlers (OAI-SearchBot, ChatGPT-User and GPTBot) perform different functions:
OAI-SearchBot manages the primary search function.
ChatGPT-User processes real-time requests and integrates with external applications.
GPTBot is used for AI training and can be blocked without affecting search visibility.
Timeliness Advantage
One of CGS’s strengths is timeliness, especially for searches that require the most up-to-date information. In tests, CGS was better at providing more up-to-date information than Google’s AI Summaries. For example, CGS can accurately provide a live score of an ongoing rugby match, while Google’s suggested results can show scores from the previous year. Also, when searching for Black Friday or Christmas shopping, CGS consistently highlights the most recent content, demonstrating its importance on freshness.
Accuracy Strengths and Limitations
While CGS provides generally accurate information, limitations were observed in some specific areas. For example, for certain product deal searches (e.g. “Nike Air Max 10 Deals”), CGS sometimes shows prices that differ from those on retailers’ sites. CGS occasionally shows shortcomings for local search queries by providing irrelevant or inconsistent results.
Compared to Google’s AI Overviews and Bing’s Generative Search, CGS still lags in responding to text-oriented information queries, and the interface is considered less familiar and intuitive for users of traditional search engines.
Can CGS Become a Competitor to Google?
CGS’s growing user base raises questions about Google’s future in search. ChatGPT’s traffic surpassing Bing shows users increasingly prefer CGS’s conversational and direct approach. While CGS and traditional search engines serve similar purposes, the rise of CGS points to users’ changing behaviour towards seeking AI-based solutions. This functional overlap suggests that CGS can potentially impact Google’s market share.
SEO Strategies: Preparing for the AI Search Era
As AI-based search models like CGS reshape the search landscape, SEO strategies must evolve. While traditional SEO remains essential, businesses must look for ways to increase visibility on AI-based search platforms like CGS.
SEO Adaptation Recommendations for AI Search
Monitor Routing Traffic
Monitoring referral traffic from ChatGPT can reveal the impact on CGS’s engagement with the target audience and guide the adjustment of SEO strategies.
Increase Visibility on CGS
Using tools like Flow Agency’s dashboard to monitor traffic from CGS can provide valuable insights into how users engage with content on ChatGPT Search.
Optimize Content for AI Search
Try new content approaches to increase visibility in AI-based searches and strike a balance that maintains traditional SEO methods.
Take Advantage of Early Adoption
Businesses that are early adopters of AI Search strategies can have a chance to gain competitive advantages and traffic boosts like those experienced by early adopters of traditional SEO.
The Changing Dynamics of Search: The Role of ChatGPT
CGS signals a shift in search behaviour as users demand fast, conversational answers. Websites performing strongly on Bing may have an initial advantage through CGS’s integration. Still, as CGS develops its data sources and ranking systems, it can further differentiate itself from traditional engines.
Strategic Considerations for Businesses
User Interaction: How do target users interact with CGS, and what strategies can be implemented to keep them in the ChatGPT ecosystem for longer?
Content Relevance: What kind of information are users looking for on CGS that differs from traditional search engines, and how can businesses tailor their content to meet these needs?
User Journey Optimization: When do users migrate from CGS to other platforms, and what can businesses do to optimize conversions at these new touchpoints?
ChatGPT Search and the Future of Search
ChatGPT offers a revolutionary alternative that prioritizes direct and contextual answers. CGS shows promise in time-sensitive searches, and if it continues to improve its accuracy and user experience, it could be a real competitor to established search engines like Google. This new platform allows businesses to grow by updating their SEO strategies and seizing the opportunities presented by AI-powered search.
Mert Erkal is the founder of Stradiji, which has been providing consultancy services on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), SEO Friendly Content Production and Optimization, and Conversion Optimization since 2009. SEO consultancy of enterprise companies is Mert's unique expertise. He has been sharing and commenting on weekly critical developments from the SEO world for about three years with his newsletter "SEOs Diners Club." With the advantage of remote working, he continues to provide SEO consultancy to English-speaking countries, especially the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
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