OpenAI integrates web search into ChatGPT, enabling real-time queries with verifiable sources

OpenAI has announced a significant update to ChatGPT that incorporates web search capabilities, allowing the system to access updated information and provide responses based on real-time content. This new feature will initially be available to Plus, Team, and SearchGPT waitlist users.

The update represents an important shift in the way we interact with online information. The system can automatically perform searches based on user queries or allow manual searches via a specific icon. It also maintains the full context of the conversation to refine responses in follow-up questions.

The platform has established partnerships with major news outlets and data providers, including Associated Press, Reuters, and Financial Times, among others. This allows access to updated information on weather, financial markets, sports, and news, presented with new visual designs.

A standout feature is the inclusion of links to original sources, enabling users to verify information and delve deeper into topics of interest. Users can access these references via a specific button that opens a sidebar listing all cited sources.

The system uses an optimized version of the GPT-4o model specifically trained for this task. OpenAI plans to continue improving the feature, especially in areas like shopping and travel, and to extend its availability to all free users in the coming months.