Yes, ChatGPT can be used as a search engine. However, both search engines and ChatGPT have their own advantages and disadvantages.
There is currently an ongoing competition between search engines and ChatGPT. Both are continuously working to address their respective shortcomings and improve their algorithms. Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of using ChatGPT as a search engine and how you can utilize it as a search engine.
ChatGPT, like any other AI-based system, may provide incorrect responses to some of your questions. Similarly, search engines may not always be able to provide accurate answers to all your queries. It’s important to acknowledge that both ChatGPT and traditional search engines have their limitations when it comes to delivering completely accurate results.
Understanding ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a powerful language model developed by OpenAI. It is trained on a vast amount of text data and can generate human-like responses based on the given input. It utilizes deep learning techniques to understand and generate coherent text, making it a versatile tool for various applications.
Also read: All you need to know about ChatGPT, From Zero to Hero
Traditional Search Engines vs. ChatGPT
Traditional search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo, use complex algorithms to index and rank web pages based on various factors like relevance, popularity, and user behavior.
They provide users with a list of search results in response to their queries. On the other hand, ChatGPT can engage in interactive conversations with users, offering dynamic responses and personalized information.
Advantages of Using ChatGPT as a Search Engine
1. Conversational Experience
One of the primary advantages of using ChatGPT as a search engine is the conversational experience it offers. Unlike traditional search engines, which provide a static list of results, ChatGPT can understand and respond to user queries in a more interactive and conversational manner.
This enables users to ask follow-up questions, seek clarifications, and obtain more detailed information.
2. Personalized Recommendations
ChatGPT can leverage its language understanding capabilities to provide personalized recommendations to users. By analyzing the user’s preferences and earlier conversations, ChatGPT can tailor its responses and suggest relevant content, products, or services based on the user’s specific needs and interests.
Learn more: How to refer to earlier messages in ChatGPT?
3. One Source
When using ChatGPT, you don’t need to navigate from one site to another to find what you’re looking for. You have a single source of information at your disposal. If you don’t like the answer, you can simply provide feedback and express your dissatisfaction.
In traditional search engine usage, there is no feedback mechanism, and when you don’t like an answer on a website, your only option is to view other search results.
4. Image Input Feature Available
ChatGPT includes an image input feature. You can convey what you want by sending a picture and then ask questions or request analysis related to that image.
Learn more: ChatGPT Image Input, How to upload images to ChatGPT
However, when using a search engine, you cannot ask questions by uploading an image or request it to analyze your specific input. Instead, you can view what is already available on the web.
Limitations of ChatGPT as a Search Engine
1. ChatGPT Is Trained on a Limited Set of Data
ChatGPT has been trained on the information available until the end of 2021. When asked about events or information that occurred later, it apologizes for not having that information.
Therefore, processing real-time information is the first significant hurdle that ChatGPT needs to overcome to compete directly with search engines.
Learn more: How to connect ChatGPT to the internet?
However, thanks to recent updates made by OpenAI, there are some ways to connect ChatGPT to internet.
2. ChatGPT Can Generate Incorrect Responses
Despite being AI-driven, ChatGPT may sometimes provide inaccurate answers. OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, acknowledges that it may generate incorrect responses.
They have listed this shortcoming as one of the limitations of their product on their official blog.
3. ChatGPT Is Less Credible
On traditional search engines, you can typically identify the source of the information by examining the webpage’s brand or website. Additionally, with some effort, you can verify the authenticity of authors and the reliability of the information provided.
In contrast, ChatGPT doesn’t provide citations or references; it generates responses based on the raw data it was trained on.
This lack of transparency can make it challenging to assess the credibility of the information provided by ChatGPT.
Also read: How does ChatGPT actually work?
4. ChatGPT May Exhibit Biases
Due to the data it was trained on and the training procedures, ChatGPT may exhibit biases. OpenAI is actively working to improve and mitigate biases through ongoing updates and enhancements.
However, some biases may still exist in certain topics or contexts.
5. Reliance on Pre-trained Data
ChatGPT’s responses are based on the patterns and information present in the data it was trained on.
As a result, it may lack the most up-to-date information available on the web. Traditional search engines continuously crawl and index new web pages, ensuring the latest information is included in their search results.
The Future of ChatGPT as a Search Engine
Indeed, the development of ChatGPT as a search engine has significant potential. With continuous progress in AI and NLP, it’s possible to imagine a future where ChatGPT transforms into an advanced search engine offering personalized, context-aware, and conversational search interactions.
OpenAI, along with other researchers, is actively dedicated to improving ChatGPT’s abilities, tackling its limitations, and exploring its diverse applications across different fields. For example, with the help of Plugins and web browsing features, OpenAI is trying to address ChatGPT’s shortcomings and make improvements.
Conversely, modern search engines offer confident answers upfront, eliminating the need to visit websites. This approach enables them to deliver efficient responses. Thus, it’s evident that both applications are striving to address their limitations and enhance their performance.
You can integrate ChatGPT with a search engine
You can currently use ChatGPT as a search engine without having to give up the existing search engine you use.
Through the ChatGPT for Google Chrome extension, you can see both the search engine’s own answers and the response provided by ChatGPT to your query simultaneously when performing searches on the search engine.