ChatGPT’s AI-powered search engine is rolling out to everyone starting today, expanding its features beyond paid subscribers to include those on the free tier. OpenAI made this announcement during its “12 Days of Ship-mas” Livestream, where it also unveiled upgrades to the feature on mobile and introduced Advanced Voice Mode for premium users.
Improved features on mobile
For the first time, you can experience ChatGPT’s search functionality on mobile in a way that feels more like a traditional search engine. If you’re searching for local restaurants, attractions, or businesses, the app now displays a list of results with images, ratings, and operating hours. Clicking on a result provides detailed information about the location, including a map with directions, which you can view directly in the app.
Another mobile-specific improvement enhances the speed of searching for certain websites, such as hotel booking platforms. Instead of generating lengthy responses first, ChatGPT will now display links to relevant websites before offering additional details about your options. This upgrade aims to save you time and make browsing more efficient.
Advanced Voice Mode and up-to-date information
ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode continues to evolve, but this feature is still reserved for paid subscribers. Using this mode, the AI can provide real-time information from the web, offering up-to-date responses to your queries. Whether planning a trip or looking for breaking news, this functionality ensures you’re always in the know.
Until its initial release in October, the search engine feature was exclusive to paid subscribers. All users can access it if they have an account and are logged in. This move brings powerful AI tools to a broader audience, further solidifying ChatGPT’s role as a versatile tool for everyday tasks.
More announcements from OpenAI
The livestream also highlighted other recent updates from OpenAI. These include the launch of Sora, a text-to-image model designed for creating visuals directly from prompts, and the introduction of ChatGPT Pro, a premium subscription priced at US$200 per month.
By making its search engine accessible to all and enhancing usability on mobile, OpenAI continues to refine the ChatGPT experience. Whether you’re a casual user or a subscriber, these updates aim to make AI technology more practical and efficient for everyone.
