Can ChatGPT be used as a search engine? Even before 2025, many of its users would’ve answered this question with a resounding “yes.” You just ask a question and receive a direct answer – it sounds like the perfect search engine. However, the free ChatGPT version had a big issue – a knowledge cutoff. This meant you couldn’t use it to look up current information. But this changed with ChatGPT Search. Now, you can use this AI-powered tool just like Google even if you don’t have a premium subscription. In fact, you don’t even need an account. This guide teaches you how to use ChatGPT as a search engine.
How to Use ChatGPT as a Search Engine
Here’s how to use ChatGPT as a search engine.
Step 1: Open ChatGPT on your computer or mobile phone.
Step 2: Enter your query and press “Search.” This button activates ChatGPT Search – it doesn’t actually perform your search. This means you can change your query even after pressing it.
Step 3: Hit “Enter” or tap the upward arrow to perform the search.
Your answer will come after a few seconds. It will contain a “Sources” button at the bottom for more information.
Now, you probably don’t use full sentences when searching the web. Why would you when a few keywords usually do the trick? This approach also works with ChatGPT Search. Instead of typing “What is the Los Angeles Lakers schedule for 2025?” you can just enter “Los Angeles Lakers 2025 schedule” and get exactly what you’re looking for.
However, the results to this query are interesting for another reason – the schedule will be displayed with a fun design.
These engaging search results aren’t exclusive to sports queries. You’ll also see them when asking questions about the news, weather, maps, and stocks.
How to Set ChatGPT as Default Search Engine
If you use Chrome as your browser, you can set ChatGPT Search as your default search engine.
Step 1: Open “ChatGPT Search” in the Chrome Web Store.
Step 2: Click on “Add to Chrome.”
Step 3: Confirm your choice in the pop-up window.
After a minute or two, you’ll see a message: “ChatGPT search has been added to Chrome.”
Now, ChatGPT Search will be your default search engine. You can confirm this in your browser’s settings.
Step 1: Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner.
Step 2: Select “Settings.”
Step 3: Go to “Search engine” in the left sidebar.
You should see a message notifying you that ChatGPT Search controls this setting. If you don’t, you can set it as your search engine manually. Just find it in the dropdown menu next to “Search engine used in the address bar.”
From there, ChatGPT will automatically launch anytime you search for something online.
Should You Use ChatGPT as a Search Engine?
ChatGPT Search gives you an answer right away – you don’t have to dig for it through several links. Google might do this as well, through its featured snippet.
However, this answer comes from one source only – the one Google deemed the best. With ChatGPT Search, multiple high-quality sources are involved. This automatically makes the answer more trustworthy. Plus, if you have follow-up questions, you can ask them in the same chat – there’s no need to start a whole other search.
This ease of use is why ChatGPT is better than many traditional search engines.
However, it’s still not perfect. For example, entering the name of a website won’t give you its link straight away. So for now, you should stick with traditional search engines for this purpose. That is, of course, unless you’re in a mood for a chat.
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