ChatGPT has limited knowledge up until 2021 and does not have direct access to the internet. However, It is not a case anymore with Browse with Bing feature granted to ChatGPT Plus members.
This feature allows users to connect ChatGPT to the internet and view the search results within the ChatGPT interface. Here, we will explain how to activate and use Browse with Bing feature in ChatGPT on both desktop and mobile devices.
What is ChatGPT Browse with Bing?
By default, ChatGPT is not connected to the internet.
Browse with Bing was introduced to address this limitation of ChatGPT. With web browsing, ChatGPT is now capable of providing answers to your questions from Bing search engine.
You can still continue to use ChatGPT’s features as usual. However, if you ask a question that ChatGPT believes it doesn’t have knowledge about, it will then connect to the internet, specifically using the Bing search engine, to try to find answers related to your question that it doesn’t know. This way, you can benefit from both ChatGPT and the search capabilities of an internet search engine simultaneously.
Also read: How to integrate ChatGPT responses with Google?
How to Activate Web Browsing in ChatGPT?
In order to use the Browse with Bing feature of ChatGPT, you need to be a ChatGPT Plus member. ChatGPT Plus is a paid subscription service that offers exclusive features for a monthly cost of $20.
Activating Browse with Bing
We have provided the following steps to demonstrate how you can activate the web browsing feature in ChatGPT on both mobile devices and desktop applications:
- Visit the ChatGPT main page and click on the settings tab located in the left menu.
- Within the settings, select the “Beta features” option from the menu.
- Enable the “Browse with Bing” feature.
Using Web Browsing Feature
The “Browse with Bing” option determines when ChatGPT consults the internet and when it relies solely on its GPT model for responses. When necessary, ChatGPT will use the Bing search engine to fetch relevant information.
Once you have enabled the “Browse with Bing” option, proceed as follows:
- Go back to the main page of ChatGPT at chat.openai.com/chat.
- In the top menu, you’ll find options for both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models. Hover over the GPT-4 model.
- A selection of different options will appear. The default option is usually pre-selected. Instead, choose the “Browse with Beta (Bing)” option.
- From now on, when you make queries, ChatGPT will consult Bing for relevant searches if it deems necessary.
Note: ChatGPT uses Bing search engine for web browsing instead of Google. Additionally, you can also explore the ChatGPT plugin feature within the same window.
Using web browsing feature in ChatGPT mobile application
To activate and use Browse with Bing feature on the mobile app, you can follow the steps below, which are similar to the desktop application.
- Open the mobile app and sign in to your account.
- On the main screen, tap on the three-dot icon or the menu icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
- In the opened window, tap on the “Settings” button.
- Under the section titled “New Features,” toggle on the “Browse with Bing” option.
- Once you have enabled these features, you can go back to the main screen.
- Tap on the GPT-4 model in the top menu to activate the web browsing feature.
- Now, when you ask questions, ChatGPT will utilize the Browse with Bing feature to provide answers.
Why ChatGPT disabled web browsing temporarily?
On July 4, 2023, OpenAI announced that they had temporarily disabled the internet browsing feature, Browse with Bing, due to reports indicating that the feature was accessing information from websites protected by paywalls.
OpenAI officials added that they are actively working to resolve this issue and stated, “We are working to bring the beta back as quickly as possible.”
Activating web browsing with ChatGPT Plugins
The only way to perform internet searches with ChatGPT is no longer limited to the “Browse with Bing” option. With the “Browse with Bing” feature, you can indeed search the internet and view the results directly within ChatGPT. However, through ChatGPT plugins, you can also access the internet by leveraging third-party applications.
These plugins enable ChatGPT to not only rely on its own knowledge but also utilize the algorithms and information within these applications. This allows you to access the most up-to-date information.
Therefore, you can access the internet using ChatGPT plugins as well. Just like web browsing, you need to activate the plugins and then install and use the plugins that you find suitable or appropriate for your needs. We have compiled a list of some notable plugins below for internet searching.
- Scraper: This plugin scrapes content from web pages via URLs.
- Instacart: This plugin allows ChatGPT to place grocery orders.
- OpenTable: This plugin enables ChatGPT to make restaurant reservations.
- Webpilot: This plugin allows ChatGPT to browse the web and retrieve recent online data.
- DAIZY: This plugin offers insights on EFTS, stocks, and cryptos.
Browsing the Web with Chrome Extension
If you prefer not to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, there’s an alternative method to browse the web using various Chrome extensions.
One popular extension is the “WebChatGPT” Chrome extension, which utilizes the Yahoo! search engine. With this extension, you can enable web access in ChatGPT and perform internet browsing directly within the ChatGPT interface, eliminating the need to switch windows.
You can also use ChatGPT as a search engine thanks to a Chrome Extension. If you are interested take a look at that.