SearchGPT VS Google: Which Search Engine Should You Use in 2024?

By
Maryrose Lyons
,
August 20, 2024

An example of a SearchGPT results page

SearchGPT is OpenAI's new prototype search feature that aims to change how we find information online. It uses AI models to give quick answers with clear sources from across the web. Unlike Google's familiar list of links, SearchGPT provides direct responses to your queries.

SearchGPT combines AI language skills with web information to deliver fast, up-to-date answers tailored to your questions. This approach could make searching easier and more efficient. You might spend less time clicking through multiple pages to find what you need.

OpenAI is testing SearchGPT with a small group of users to get feedback. While it's not widely available yet, the company plans to add these features to their main ChatGPT app in the future. This move shows OpenAI's aim to compete with Google in the search market.

Overview of SearchGPT and Google

SearchGPT and Google Search are two different approaches to finding information online. SearchGPT uses AI to provide direct answers, while Google offers a list of links to relevant websites.

What is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT is a new AI-powered search engine developed by OpenAI. It aims to change how you search for information on the internet. Instead of giving you a list of links, SearchGPT provides direct answers to your questions.

When you type in a query, SearchGPT uses its AI to gather information from various sources. It then presents this info along with photos and links to relevant websites. You can ask follow-up questions to dig deeper into a topic.

SearchGPT cites its sources clearly, so you know where the information comes from. It also offers a sidebar with extra links for more in-depth research.

What is Google Search?

Google Search is the world's most popular search engine. When you enter a query, Google shows you a list of web pages that might have the answer you're looking for.

Google uses complex algorithms to rank websites based on their relevance and quality. It considers factors like the content of web pages, how often they're updated, and how many other sites link to them.

Google Search offers features like:

  • Autocomplete suggestions as you type
  • Related searches
  • Image and video results
  • News articles
  • Local business listings

You can refine your search using filters for date, language, and region. Google also provides tools like Google Scholar for academic research and Google Books for searching through books.

Business Models and Monetisation

Search engines rely on adverts and user data to make money. This shapes how they show results and affects your online experience.

Advertisement Revenue Models

Google's main income comes from ads. When you search, you see sponsored results at the top. Companies pay Google to show these ads. The more people click, the more Google earns.

SearchGPT might use a different model. It could charge for premium features or offer a subscription. This could mean fewer ads but a cost to you.

Both systems collect data about your searches. This helps them improve results and target ads better.

The Role of Ads in Search

Ads play a big part in how search engines work. On Google, they're often the first thing you see. This can be good or bad for you as a user.

Pros of ads:

  • They can show relevant products or services
  • They keep the search engine free to use

Cons of ads:

  • They might distract from organic results
  • Some users find them annoying

SearchGPT might have fewer ads. This could make searching cleaner but might mean paying for the service.

Content Types and Media

SearchGPT and Google handle various content formats differently. Each platform has its own strengths in presenting rich media, textual information, and interactive elements to users.

Rich Media: Images and Videos

On Google, you'll find a dedicated image search tab and video previews right on the main results page. Google also offers image recognition capabilities.

SearchGPT's image handling is still developing. It can describe images but doesn't yet have a separate image search feature. Video content is not currently a focus for SearchGPT.

Textual Content and Web Documents

Google indexes billions of web pages and presents snippets in search results. You can easily access full web documents through links.

SearchGPT focuses on generating text responses based on its web crawlers. It uses a different crawler and data that is used for ChatGPT. 

Interactive Elements and Code Snippets

Google includes interactive features like calculators, currency converters, and weather widgets in search results. It also displays code snippets for programming-related queries.

SearchGPT can generate and explain code snippets across many programming languages. It offers a more conversational approach to coding questions.

Both platforms can handle math equations and simple calculations. Google's interactive tools are more visually integrated, while SearchGPT provides detailed step-by-step explanations.

Implications for SEO and Content Creators

The rise of AI-powered search experiences is changing how content appears in search results. This shift impacts keyword strategies, content creation approaches, and overall SEO tactics.

Keyword Optimisation

AI-driven search aims to understand user intent better than traditional keyword matching. You'll need to focus on creating content that answers specific questions and solves problems.

Use natural language in your content, mirroring how people actually speak and search. Include long-tail keywords and phrases that capture user intent.

Organise your content with clear headings and subheadings. This structure helps AI systems understand and categorise your information more effectively.

Consider creating FAQ sections on your pages. These directly address common queries and align with how AI search tools present information.

Staying Ahead with AI Tools

Embrace AI writing assistants to boost your content creation process. These tools can help generate ideas, outline articles, and even draft sections of your content.

Use AI-powered SEO tools to analyse search trends and identify content gaps. These insights can guide your content strategy and help you create more relevant material.

Remember to review and refine AI-generated content. Your expertise and human touch are crucial for creating truly valuable, unique content.

SEO Strategy and ChatGPT

Leverage ChatGPT to brainstorm content ideas and research topics. It can help you uncover new angles and perspectives for your content.

Use ChatGPT to analyse your competitors' content strategies. Ask it to compare your content with theirs and suggest improvements.

You should also aim to provide more in-depth content otherwise people can easily get their answers either from Google’s AI overviews or on SearchGPT

Be cautious about relying too heavily on AI-generated content. Search engines may penalise websites with low-quality or overly automated content.

Stay informed about updates to search algorithms and AI technologies. Regularly adjust your SEO strategy to align with these changes.

If you want to keep up-to-date, we’ve got a highly rated AI for Marketing course, and new for autumn 2024 Advanced AI for Marketers.

Comparative Advantages and Disadvantages

SearchGPT and Google both have unique strengths and weaknesses when it comes to searching for information. Let's look at how they compare in key areas.

Assessing the Pros and Cons of SearchGPT

Conversational search: Users can engage in a dialogue with the search engine, asking follow-up questions about the information provided.

Real-time information: SearchGPT can provide up-to-date information on topics like weather, local events, and restaurants.

Clean interface: The search results are presented in a clean, easy-to-read format without cluttered links or irrelevant information.

Visual responses: Search results include images and videos to help users better understand the information.

Clear source attribution: SearchGPT provides clear and relevant sources for the information it presents.

Partnerships with publishers and creators: OpenAI is collaborating with trusted sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided.

Fact-checking can be tricky. SearchGPT doesn't always cite sources, making it hard to verify claims.

It may sometimes give incorrect or biased answers. You should double-check important info from other trusted sources.

Google's Strengths and Weaknesses

Google offers a vast index of web pages. You can find info on nearly any topic, no matter how niche.

It provides links to original sources. This lets you dig deeper and verify information easily.

Google updates constantly. You'll get the latest news and data in your search results.

Ads can clutter results. Sometimes it's hard to tell sponsored content from organic results.

Finding exact answers can take time. You often need to click through multiple pages to piece together info.

Google may not understand context well. You might need to rephrase queries to get the best results.

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