OpenAI removes sign-up for ChatGPT Search, offering unlimited real-time web queries. The AI tool now competes with Google, expands to mobile, and enhances transparency in AI reasoning.
OpenAI has removed all restrictions on ChatGPT Search, allowing anyone to access real-time web queries without signing up or facing usage limits. This move positions ChatGPT as a direct competitor to Google and Bing, reshaping the search landscape.
Announced on X (formerly Twitter), the update expands on its November 2024 launch for paid users and December rollout for free-tier users. Now, even unregistered users can access AI-powered search backed by GPT-4o. With this bold expansion, OpenAI challenges traditional search engines, raising industry-wide questions on the future of AI-driven search.
The new search tool allows users to access real-time web information directly within the ChatGPT interface. A globe icon next to the "Attach file" button enables users to activate web search mode manually, triggering responses informed by the latest online data.
No Rate Limits: OpenAI’s Unrestricted Model Sets It Apart from Competitors
Unlike many AI-powered tools that impose restrictions on free users, OpenAI has made ChatGPT Search completely unrestricted. Both free-tier and unregistered users can perform unlimited searches, a stark contrast to rivals like Google’s Bard or Microsoft’s Copilot, which impose usage caps.
The Future of AI Search: OpenAI’s Bold Move Could Disrupt the Industry
With ChatGPT Search now fully accessible, powered by GPT-4o and o3-mini’s improved reasoning transparency, OpenAI is redefining how people access and trust AI-generated information.
This expansion represents a fundamental shift in the search industry, putting Google, Microsoft, and AI rivals like Perplexity on notice. Whether ChatGPT’s unrestricted model will reshape the search landscape remains to be seen, but one thing is clear - AI-powered search is no longer an experiment. It’s the future.
