ChatGPT search, a feature within OpenAI’s ChatGPT that allows the chatbot to access and integrate real-time information from the web into its responses, is experiencing rapid growth in Europe. According to a report from OpenAI Ireland Limited, the European division of OpenAI, ChatGPT search had an average of 41.3 million monthly active users in the six-month period ending on March 31. This marks a significant increase from the 11.2 million average monthly users recorded in the previous six-month period ending on October 31, 2024.
OpenAI regularly discloses information on ChatGPT search to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs various aspects of online services in European countries. The DSA defines monthly active users as individuals who engage with the service at least once during a specific period by interacting with the platform’s online interface or providing information.
One provision of the DSA mandates that “very large” online platforms or search engines with over 45 million average monthly users must allow users to opt out of recommendation systems and profiling, share specific data with researchers and authorities, and undergo external auditing. As ChatGPT search continues to grow, it may soon be subject to these regulations.
Platforms that fail to adhere to the DSA guidelines could face fines of up to 6% of their global revenue, with persistent non-compliance potentially leading to temporary suspension in the EU. Despite its increasing popularity, ChatGPT search is still trailing behind industry giants like Google. A recent poll indicated that only 8% of respondents would choose ChatGPT over Google as their primary search engine, with Google handling significantly more searches than ChatGPT.
Studies have shown that AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT search may be less reliable than traditional search engines, particularly for certain types of queries. One study found that ChatGPT incorrectly identified 67% of articles searched for, highlighting accuracy issues. Another study raised concerns about the accuracy of news content provided by ChatGPT, particularly content from publishers with whom OpenAI has licensing agreements.
Overall, while ChatGPT search is gaining traction in Europe, it still faces challenges in terms of accuracy and reliability compared to established search engines like Google. As regulatory scrutiny increases and competition intensifies, it will be interesting to see how ChatGPT search continues to evolve in the rapidly changing landscape of online search.
