OpenAI is reportedly developing a web search product. Can it compete with Google?

Recent reports suggest that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is developing a web search product, which will be a direct challenge to Google.

First reported by The Information, it’s speculated that the product may be partly inspired by Microsoft’s own search engine, Bing, which itself got AI integration recently. Not to mention, Microsoft plans to invest $10 billion in OpenAI and has an observer board seat at the company.

Also, it’s not clear whether the web search product will be integrated with ChatGPT, be a part of the subscription, or will be a separate offering.

As of now, there has been no confirmation from OpenAI or Microsoft regarding the developments. But, given the success of ChatGPT, other ventures by OpenAI will receive a massive response, at least initially.

Will OpenAI’s product be any match for Google?

While OpenAI’s web search product is being touted as a direct competitor to Google, it will take a lot of effort and time on the former’s part.

ChatGPT became a huge success because it had a first-mover advantage. However, in the world of web search, Google is the market leader, and none of the other options even come close.

As per Statcounter, Google commands 91.47% of the market, while the next in line, Bing, stands at a feeble 3.42%.

We have been using Google for years, even when it slightly messed things up on a few occasions, because the search engine’s ability to index content and present relevant queries in a fraction of a second is unmatched.

So, for OpenAI’s web search product to disrupt the market, it has to be better than Google in every sense and should be developed for instant mass adoption. It shouldn’t be like ChatGPT, which stopped working after every few hours in the initial days.

OpenAI will have to get everything right this time!

Are you excited about OpenAI’s web search product? Let us know what you think about it in the comments section.