How-To

Test SearchGPT from OpenAI: Join the Waitlist Now

By Brian Burgess

Published August 5, 2024

OpenAI, the developer of the popular ChatGPT, is letting you test its new search product called SearchGPT. You can sign up to test it now.

OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT has announced its search engine prototype, which it’s calling “SearchGPT.” ChatGPT powers the new SearchGPT but gives you a web search-like experience. For instance, if you have used Perplexity (which now has revenue sharing for publishers) before, you will know what to expect from the service.

OpenAI notes that SearchGPT will combine its AI model with real-time information from the web. The article goes on to say, “SearchGPT is a prototype of new search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear, relevant sources. It combines the strength of our AI models with real-time information from the web.”

The AI-powered web search service is meant to take on the like of Google, which uses similar technologies it calls AI Overviews that give specific answers to queries in addition to the web results you’ve been used to over the years. If you haven’t noticed, Google switched its search results to show answers using AI at the top of the page.

Like the chatbot, this will answer specific questions and a conversational interface. It’s important to point out that ChatGPT is trained with older data sans real-time web results. Overall, this should provide a more enjoyable AI experience. But let’s not speculate; use the following step-by-step guide to sign up and start with SearchGPT.

Sign Up for OpenAI’s SearchGPT

Currently, if you are ready to start testing out the new SearchGPT, you need to join the waiting list. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Launch a browser on your phone or computer and head to chatgpt.com/search.
2. Sign in with your ChatGPT credentials or create an account if prompted.
3. Click the Join the waitlist button.
4. The button will turn gray and display a checkmark with a “You’re on the waitlist” message.

Once you follow the steps, an email will be sent to you indicating that SearchGPT is ready to start using and testing.

Get Ready to Test SearchGPT

That’s all there is to it. Once you are accepted to start testing the new SearchGPT search engine, you will receive an email from OpenAI. The time it takes to get your slot in the testing queue will vary. At the time of this writing, testing is initially rolling out to approximately 10,000 people but will open to more users in the coming months.

We will update this article with additional information, including how to use it and the available features. In the meantime, if you are privacy-oriented, check out our article on how to opt-out your data on ChatGPT.