In July 2024, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, showed off a new AI search engine prototype called SearchGPT. This search engine uses artificial intelligence to answer all your questions.

Currently, it's still a work in progress and only a small group of people, like individual users and writers, has the access. They're testing to see if the search results it gives are accurate and up to date.

OpenAI hasn't decided yet if they’ll make SearchGPT available to the public as a standalone tool or if they'll incorporate it with ChatGPT.

But one thing's for sure, the arrival of SearchGPT is going to make waves in the search engine world, especially for big players like Google and people who work on search engine optimization.

How does SearchGPT work?

Similar to search engines, SearchGPT is designed to respond to user queries. However, the key distinction lies in how these questions are answered. SearchGPT harnesses the power of natural language processing, allowing it to provide clear and coherent responses in a conversational manner.

For instance, if you were to inquire, "What is the best Android phone in 2024?" SearchGPT would be able to efficiently summarize the top contenders, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses based on expert reviews and user feedback.

Furthermore, SearchGPT excels in handling follow-up questions that stem from the initial inquiry, enhancing the overall search experience by making it more interactive and personalized.

SearchGPT vs Search Engines

The way SearchGPT and search engines find and present answers to queries differs significantly. Here are some key distinctions:

AI-powered vs Keyword matching

SearchGPT is powered by artificial intelligence with advanced natural language processing capabilities, enabling it to better understand the context and intent behind each query. This results in more contextually relevant results. In contrast, search engines like Google rely on keyword matching to generate relevant results. If queries contain vague or ambiguous terms, it can be challenging for search engines to provide accurate and relevant results due to its reliance on keywords.

Direct answers vs Links

Similar to ChatGPT, SearchGPT provides direct answers in a conversational format and may include images if needed. SearchGPT ensures the accuracy and freshness of answers by offering real-time information and citing or including source links. 

On the other hand, search engines typically present a list of links to websites for users to navigate through to find answers. However, search engines like Google can also provide direct, concise answers from websites at the top of the search results page through Featured Snippets, eliminating the need for users to open links to access information.

Context vs Individual Search

SearchGPT enables users to expand on previous queries and receive personalized responses, enhancing the interactive experience. In contrast, traditional search engines lack the memory or capability to link past searches with subsequent ones.

Impacts of SearchGPT on SEO

Conversational queries requires well-written content

Conversational queries require well-crafted content. With SearchGPT utilizing NLP, expect an increase in conversational or dialogue-driven queries. What does this mean for your content strategy? Instead of solely focusing on keywords and conforming to algorithms, your content should directly address and answer user queries while being written in a natural tone that aligns with user intent. It is crucial to keep in mind that SearchGPT now takes into account the context of each search.

Multimedia content has the advantage

Multimedia content offers a distinct advantage. Just as images and videos are essential for search engines, they hold equal significance for SearchGPT. Integrating multimedia elements enriches content and enhances user engagement, making it highly valuable in the eyes of SearchGPT.

Consider Publisher partnerships

Consider forming partnerships with reputable publishers. SearchGPT sources content from trusted and authoritative sources such as Conde Nast, The Associated Press, and Vox. By collaborating with established publishers and linking to high-visibility content, you can boost the visibility and credibility of your content, thereby increasing its impact.

What does SearchGPT mean to your service-business’s SEO?

SearchGPT represents the future of digital marketing, but this does not diminish the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). While SearchGPT is revolutionizing the search experience, it does not signal the end of SEO. Instead, it prompts SEO strategies to adapt and evolve, moving beyond conventional keyword optimization practices aimed at improving search engine rankings.