I just tested ChatGPT Search vs. Google – here are the results

On November 2, 2024By Littum

With OpenAI’s new real-time search function, ChatGPT positions itself as a competitor to traditional search engines such as Google. Known for its conversational responses, ChatGPT delivers real-time contextual information without ads.

I jumped in to see how ChatGPT Search stacks up against Google’s longstanding expertise in search. I ran several comparisons between ChatGPT’s new feature and Google, covering categories such as speed, accuracy, images, and overall user experience. Here’s how they fared.

1. Speed and response time

AI chat response — (Image credit: Future)

Fast: “What are the top tourist attractions in Tokyo?”

Google: Google search engine is very fast and results are delivered within milliseconds. With images and links for context, the search engine has years of optimization in its corner, and an infrastructure built specifically for high-speed indexing and retrieval. With this prompt and others, I had instant access to a wide range of relevant results across multiple sources.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT’s search was just as fast, generating images and information for each location in a much clearer and user-friendly way. It was clear that the AI generated the response by pulling from relevant sources and then shared the information in a conversational response. The results felt friendlier, almost as if the AI was welcoming me for a ride.

Winner: ChatGPT search takes the lead for a valuable, quick response delivered in a conversational yet concise manner.

2. Quality of information and accuracy

AI model answers

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: “Explain the differences between climate change and global warming.”

Google: Google’s response came from Gemini, with an overview of both climate change and global warming packed into a short paragraph. From there I could scroll down and search through a few links from NASA, USGS.gov, and even Quora. Obviously, the algorithm prioritizes popular and authoritative sources, but it’s also ad-driven, meaning the top results sometimes include sponsored content like what I saw from Unilever. Additionally, with complex topics, I found myself navigating multiple links to piece together a complete answer.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT provides a direct response, pulls verified information from the web, and then adds a clickable “Sources” icon. This feature cuts down on the time I spend gathering information from multiple sites in Google search. With this and other searches, ChatGPT’s summaries were spot on for general queries and even more detailed topics, and its design allows for a cleaner, focused experience. (Remember, though, that ads may come in the future.)

Winner: ChatGPT Search wins this round for his straightforward answers that are practical and to the point.

3. Real-time updates

AI model answers

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: What is Apple’s current stock price and any recent news updates?

Google: Google didn’t actually give me an immediate answer. Instead I got a link to Yahoo Finance where I could click around and hopefully find the answer myself.

ChatGPT: In milliseconds the answer was before my eyes. I also got news and updates about Apple with sources of course. ChatGPT search is so refreshing. I get answers to questions without digging around for details. I save time by having the answer presented right in front of me without clicking a few more times. Obviously, for real-time stock or weather updates, ChatGPT offers comparable accuracy and even more depth despite Google’s huge database of images.

Winner: ChatGPT continues to impress with its curated, direct, real-time responses, showing promise for future updates.

4. Privacy and content responsibility

AI model answers

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: Show me recent studies on the mental health impacts of social media.

Google: Google offers so many different answers that I’m not even sure where to look. From the Gemini response to the sidebar to the link results below, the whole experience is extremely cluttered – something I never noticed before using ChatGPT Search. Google’s advertising model also means that user data is often exploited to deliver personalized ads. Although Google has comprehensive privacy policies and settings, its ad-driven approach can lead to targeted content that may not always prioritize user privacy.

ChatGPT: Wow. Once again, ChatGPT search provides a cleaner interface with no promoted content. For searches that are so personal, the extra privacy-focused approach is much appreciated. It is much more appealing to me as a user who wants information without being targeted by ads during the search – or after.

Winner: ChatGPT leading to an approach that considers privacy and responsible use of content. When it comes to sensitive searches, not being targeted with ads is a huge bonus.

5. Overall user experience and accessibility

screenshot of AI response

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: What is the best TV for my living room?

Google: I said what I said, Google. After directing me to type “What is” instead of “What is”, Google responded with a few links, all sponsored, so I could click through and find a TV. After getting this answer, I feel I need to ask it again to help narrow it down. But below the sponsored links were links to content publishers like Tom’s Guide to their Best TV site.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT Search narrowed it down for me, included images and gave me the answer I wanted. The AI really feels like a friend offering valuable information. For each TV image there was a blurb with information about each individual image. The design feels much cleaner and concise compared to Google. Additionally, the conversational format is intuitive, allowing me to scroll through the recommendations without having to dig through multiple links like I would have to do with a Google search.

Winner: ChatGPT offers a refreshing experience with direct answers and concrete examples.

6. News stories in real time

AI model screenshots

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: Who is leading in the polls?

Google: The results from Google included news about the election. My hope with this question was to get real-time no-nonsense results about who is leading today in the presidential polls. I would have had to dig through the news stories to get the answer.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT Search gave me the results exactly as I wanted them with just the facts. The election news is everywhere so I didn’t need to read more news. ChatGPT gave me a direct answer.

Winner: ChatGPT offers real-time answers without hassle.

7. Sports News and Updates

AI model response screenshot

(Image credit: Future)

Fast: How did the Yankees collapse in the World Series?

Google: The first result from Google was a quote taken from a New York Times story on the subject. This was a quick response and direct response. Still, it made me feel like I didn’t have the whole story.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT Search provided a more thorough answer with information pulled from multiple sources, but still felt clean and concise. I got the complete picture of the Yanks utter failure.

Winner: ChatGPT again, offers the real-time answers I’m looking for, plus adds the thoroughness that confirms I’m getting all the information.

Overall Winner: ChatGPT Search

Both ChatGPT and Google excel in different areas, but they cater to slightly different needs. If you’re looking for comprehensive search results with a wide variety of sources and images, Google is still the powerhouse. But if your priority is clear, ad-free conversational responses with built-in real-time updates, ChatGPT offers a streamlined, easy-to-use experience that can easily become a staple of daily inquiries.

The rootless answers from ChatGPT Search with sources to back them up are thorough and reliable. I feel more confident about the ChatGPT responses because they are so concise and without advertisers backing them up. The results feel like the results are just for me. In a messy web, ChatGPT feels like a helpful friend, and I like that.

1. Speed ​​and response time

1. Speed and response time