ChatGPT Search
Also called: ChatGPT web search, SearchGPT
Definition
ChatGPT Search is ChatGPT's ability to search the web when it answers, launched by OpenAI in late 2024 after a prototype called SearchGPT. ChatGPT decides on its own, depending on the question, whether to answer from memory or run a search, then shows the sources it read.
To find pages, ChatGPT relies on partner search engines, including Bing, and on its own crawler, OAI-SearchBot. According to the Semrush AI Visibility Index 2026, a ChatGPT answer with search cites 15.4 sources on average, the highest number among the platforms studied.
Example
Asked “which e-bike for commuting to work?”, ChatGPT runs several searches, reads a dozen pages and writes an answer that compares three models, with links to its sources.
What it means for your AI visibility
ChatGPT is the most used generative engine, and its choice of sources changes fast. In August 2026, Promptwatch measured an 86% drop in Reddit's share of its citations in four days, after a change in the way it searches. Tracking your visibility on ChatGPT every week keeps you from finding out too late.
Related terms
- Generative engineA generative engine writes an answer from several sources instead of showing links. Examples: ChatGPT Search, Perplexity.
- GPTBotGPTBot is the OpenAI crawler that collects pages to train its models. OpenAI uses other crawlers for ChatGPT's search.
- Query fan-outQuery fan-out is the technique a generative engine uses to split a question into several searches run in parallel.
- CitationA citation is when an AI points to a page as a source of its answer, with a link. Unlike a plain mention, it can bring traffic.
- UGCUGC covers content published by users: reviews, forums, Reddit, videos. AI relies on it heavily to size up a brand.
Updated on · All glossary terms