OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and a major player in the generative AI field, is rumored to be launching a new AI-powered search engine. While ChatGPT already offers AI-powered searches through Bing Search, it seems OpenAI wants to create a separate search experience. The motivations behind this move and how it will differ from existing search engines are still unclear. However, the emergence of competitors like Perplexity and Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) might have influenced OpenAI’s decision.
The Potential Benefits of a Separate Search Engine:
It is difficult to assess the potential advantages of OpenAI’s search engine without knowing the specifics of their plans. However, competition from services like Perplexity and Google’s SGE may have motivated OpenAI to develop their own search offering. Perplexity has received significant funding and is gaining traction among enterprises with its private data search function. OpenAI, which also targets enterprise customers, might see a similar opportunity in the search market. By separating their offerings, OpenAI could cater to different user needs and use cases.
The “More is More” Philosophy:
OpenAI has recently embraced the idea that “more is more” by expanding its product offerings. This includes the GPT Builder and GPT Store, as well as considering the generation of explicit content through its API. Similar to Apple’s approach, OpenAI may be creating multiple products with slight variations to cater to different user groups and price points. While this approach offers more options to customers, it can also overwhelm them with choices. OpenAI needs to strike a balance between providing diverse offerings and avoiding decision paralysis.
Implications for Publishers:
As the search landscape evolves, publishers like VentureBeat are concerned about the impact on their traffic and advertising revenue. Google has faced criticism for keeping users on its SERP and disadvantaging smaller publishers. OpenAI’s search product might face similar criticism if it provides information from source articles without driving traffic to those sources. OpenAI has taken steps to address this by signing licensing deals with publishers and linking back to the original sources. However, the decline of outbound link-ranked web search suggests a shift in how users consume information.
The Generative Generation and the Decline of Google’s Search Quality:
With the emergence of generative AI, it is time to rethink traditional search methods. Google’s search experience has been criticized for its sponsored results and info boxes that often lack accuracy and helpfulness. This has led to lawsuits and antitrust allegations against Google and Amazon. The purpose of search is up for debate, as users might be looking for quick answers or seeking underlying source material for further exploration. In this evolving landscape, a new leader in search, whether it’s OpenAI, Google, Perplexity, Bing, or a startup, is likely to emerge.
Conclusion:
While the specifics of OpenAI’s search engine are still unknown, the company’s decision to enter the search market reflects the evolving landscape of generative AI and the need for improved search experiences. By creating a separate search offering, OpenAI can cater to different user needs and use cases. However, it remains to be seen how OpenAI’s search engine will differentiate itself from existing options like Perplexity and Google’s SGE. Publishers are also concerned about the impact on their traffic and revenue as search evolves. Ultimately, the emergence of a new leader in search seems inevitable as the era of traditional outbound link-ranked web search comes to an end.
