OpenAI Launches SearchGPT: A New Era for SEO and Digital Information

OpenAI is turning SEO on its head all over again with the release of SearchGPT, its new LLM search engine and answer to Google. 

Currently in its prototype phase and open to select users, SearchGPT will go head to head with traditional search engines, reshaping the search industry as we know it. There’s a waitlist to join.

A.I. has been a buzzword for several years now, especially with the rise of LLMs (large language models) like ChatGPT. Now with SearchGPT, A.I. is set to change the status quo and shake up SEO methods forever. 

How SearchGPT is Set to Shake Up SEO

OpenAI has been disrupting the search industry ever since it unveiled ChatGPT towards the end of 2022. Now it enters the search race with SearchGPT. This comes just as WordPress has partnered with Perplexity, a similar LLM search platform.

The release of SearchGPT represents a formidable challenge to established search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, which have long dominated the market. But it’s SearchGPT’s focus on user-friendly features, publisher licensing and AI-driven enhancements which pose a significant threat. 

OpenAI also plans to incorporate SearchGPT’s best features directly into ChatGPT. The seamless integration of AI with web data could disrupt the status quo, forcing traditional search engines to innovate rapidly. 

This holds significant implications for SEO and digital marketing professionals, and underscores the need for adaptable SEO strategies and content creation. 

The Way We Search is Changing

Back in May, our U.K. Managing Director Simon Small gave a keynote presentation about Generative A.I at IRX (Internet Retailing Expo) in Birmingham. He spoke about the need for online retailers to adapt to new search paradigms as Google moved to introduce AI Overviews into its search results. 

Simon has also just given a groundbreaking keynote on Generative A.I. at the AI Mixer event at Rise created by Barclays in the City of London. Titled ‘SearchGPT: How Organic Search and Revenue is Evolving Beyond Google’, he discussed the current shift occurring in search, and explored how this is set to change future search behaviour. Watch this space.

How is SearchGPT Different to Google?

Where Google’s search results are keyword-base, SearchGPT is much more conversational. You’ll be able to ask questions in a conversation-style format. 

Unlike traditional search engines where each query stands alone, SearchGPT allows for follow-up questions without the need to re-enter the original query. This allows users to delve deeper into topics and obtain more comprehensive answers efficiently. 

The conversational model mimics human-like interactions, making the search process more intuitive and engaging. As a result, users can explore complex queries in a more natural way, enhancing the overall search experience and making it easier to find in-depth information on a wide range of subjects.

The other key difference is that rather than presenting users with a series of links to different sites, SearchGPT provides users with direct answers to their answers (with clear attribution to the source of that information).

Emphasis on Attribution

SearchGPT is committed to providing clear attribution with its answers, fostering transparency and reliability in the information provided. 

This level of clarity not only enhances user trust but also supports content creators by ensuring their work is properly credited. Accurate attribution also promotes ethical content sharing and helps users to verify the authenticity of the information they receive. 

As part of its publisher licensing program (with 10,000 users and publishers), OpenAI is ‘launching a way for publishers to manage how they appear in SearchGPT, so publishers have more choices.‘ For businesses and content creators, this means their contributions are recognised and valued, potentially driving more traffic to the original sources and encouraging higher-quality content creation.

Addressing Friction in Search 

Another compelling feature of SearchGPT is its ability to address common frustrations associated with traditional search engines. OpenAI acknowledges the frequent need for multiple searches to find relevant results, a pain point for many users. SearchGPT aims to streamline this process, making it faster and more efficient by providing accurate answers in fewer steps.

By leveraging advanced AI models and web data, SearchGPT seamlessly delivers pertinent information with minimal user input, reducing the time and effort required to find what you’re looking for. This efficiency is poised to revolutionise how users interact with search engines.

What will SearchGPT look like?

SearchGPT has a simplified user interface. Its clean and straightforward interface bears resemblance to Google’s minimalist approach, which many users find familiar and easy to navigate. 

This intuitive design ensures that users can effortlessly leverage the platform’s capabilities without unnecessary distractions or learning curves.

By focusing on user experience, SearchGPT allows individuals to concentrate on finding information quickly and efficiently, thereby enhancing overall satisfaction. This also reduces cognitive load, making it easier for users to perform complex searches with ease.

How is SearchGPT Different to Perplexity?

Perplexity is an ‘AI-powered answer engine’, or a self-confessed ‘mashup of a search engine, online encyclopedia, and AI-powered conversation’.

It also boasts a Publishing Partners Program. As part of the move, Perplexity has partnered with content creators and media outlets like TIME, Der Spiegel, Fortune, The Texas Tribune, and Entrepreneur. It also offers revenue share to these partners, with the opportunity to drive traffic to these websites.

SearchGPT also boasts publisher licensing, but is currently limited to 10,000 users and publishers.

How is Google Responding?

While the release of SearchGPT is making waves, Google Search is still heavily entrenched, with 25 years of established trust and infrastructure behind it. Google also boasts a suite of programs like Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Images and Shopping.

However, the introduction of a conversational search experience by SearchGPT could push these companies to further refine their algorithms and user interfaces to stay competitive.

In response to SearchGPT’s launch, Google will likely focus on improving AI Overviews‘ conversational capabilities. It has already been incorporating AI-driven features like BERT and MUM to improve search accuracy and context understanding. Stay tuned.

How We Can Help Your Business to Adapt

At Kia Ora Digital, we understand the complexities and opportunities presented by this new wave of search technology. As businesses navigate the transition to AI-driven search, here’s how we can assist:

• Adaptable SEO Strategies: We offer adaptable SEO strategies that ensure your business remains visible and competitive. Whether through optimising existing content or developing new approaches, we are committed to guiding you through this transformation. 
  
  Our strategies are designed to be flexible, allowing your business to quickly respond to changes in search algorithms and user behaviour. This proactive approach helps maintain your website’s performance and maximises its potential for attracting and converting visitors.
  
• Strategic Content Creation: To thrive in the era of AI-driven search, businesses must prioritise high-quality content that addresses user intent comprehensively. We specialise in crafting content that engages in natural language interactions, anticipates potential follow-up questions, and provides thorough answers. 
  
  This ensures that content is not only relevant but also contextually rich, making it more likely to meet the nuanced needs of users. By focusing on user intent, we help businesses create content that stands out in a competitive landscape and drives meaningful engagement.
  
• Enhanced User Engagement: The conversational capabilities of SearchGPT present opportunities for enhanced user engagement. Our team can help brands to leverage this technology to create interactive and immersive experiences for their audiences. 
  
  Enhanced engagement leads to increased user satisfaction and retention, ultimately driving long-term success. This allows brands to build deeper relationships through personalised interactions, making users feel understood and valued.

Stay Ahead of Search Trends Today

At Kia Ora Digital, we’re excited to explore the possibilities that SearchGPT offers. We’re here to guide our clients through this new era of search technology. 

How do you think SearchGPT will affect your current SEO strategies? Reach out today to discuss your digital needs.