OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, is reportedly developing a web search product that could potentially challenge Google’s dominance in the search engine market. While this news may come as no surprise given OpenAI’s success with ChatGPT, it remains to be seen whether the company can truly rival Google.
The idea of OpenAI entering the search engine market is intriguing, especially considering the anecdotal evidence that suggests some people already use ChatGPT as a search engine alternative. If OpenAI’s web search product is successful, it could become a valuable source of organic traffic and provide value for brands and businesses.
However, it’s important to consider the track record of companies attempting to challenge Google’s supremacy in search. Microsoft, a $3 trillion company, has struggled to make significant progress against Google over the past two decades, despite its investments in AI search technologies. Google has become synonymous with search, and breaking people’s habit of using it would be a formidable challenge.
Numerous search engines have launched in the past with promises of being the next “Google killer,” only to ultimately fail. Examples include Blekko, Cuil, and Neeva. The reality is that Google Search consistently remains the dominant player in the market.
To put things into perspective, Google received an estimated 84.2 billion visits in December, while ChatGPT received only 1.6 billion visits during the same period. This vast difference highlights the long road ahead for OpenAI’s web search product to catch up to Google’s level of usage and popularity.
The report on OpenAI’s development of a web search product provides further insight into this potential challenge to Google. However, it is important to note that access to the full report requires a subscription.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s progress on developing a web search product has generated interest and speculation about its potential to challenge Google’s dominance. While OpenAI has already achieved success with ChatGPT, it remains to be seen whether the company can truly rival Google in the search engine market. Time will tell if OpenAI’s web search product can provide a viable alternative and attract significant organic traffic and value for brands and businesses.
