ChatGPT’s new search engine is here

When ChatGPT launched on Nov. 30, 2022, I knew the web — and the world — would change forever. A week later, I predicted on national radio Google’s days would be numbered. People laughed at me, and I got notes from listeners telling me I was nuts.

Last week, OpenAI made its ChatGPT search engine, SearchGPT, available for paid subscribers. Let me tell you, Google isn’t dead yet, but it’s suffered a mortal wound.

I hate to say it, but I told ya so.

‘What’s the big deal?’

Google Search officially launched on Sept. 4, 1998. It was awesome for a long time, but over the last five to seven years, it’s gotten consistently worse. Results are stuffed with spam and sites rigging the system. Cybercriminals sneak in malware, and scammers aren’t banned from buying ads to dupe people.

Earlier this year, Google added an AI Overview feature within Search, and it’s supposed to be their whiz-bang Gemini solution. I know a few folks in their twenties who worked for the company hired to fix Gemini’s answers. That’s why Gemini often provides responses based on an individual’s agenda, political stance and morals.

Until SearchGPT, ChatGPT’s answers were based on sets of data fed into the platform over time. Now, OpenAI has partnered with providers for news, maps, stocks, weather and sports information. Heads-up: Anything behind a paywall stays off-limits.

‘What should I use it for?’

Anything you’d search for on Google. It’s a totally different vibe, really. Google Search is loaded with ads, and Bing isn’t much better. On SearchGPT, you get a cleaner experience without all the clutter. Take a look:

Note that it knew I was in Phoenix based on my computer’s IP address. I love that it tells me which TV and radio stations are broadcasting the game, too.

Here’s another example of SearchGPT in use:

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Smart ways to make more money and find new customers

Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.

Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.

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ChatGPT Search: The (maybe? probably?) Google Search-killer is finally popping up on free ChatGPT accounts. Check yours: Log into ChatGPT and look for the world icon at the bottom. Here’s what it’s best for.

Hackers are selling old routers to spies

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They’re using these routers for denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and spamming inboxes. Meanwhile, a man’s been cyberstalked by a former roommate — nightmare stuff. Plus, Microsoft got hacked, and OpenAI is launching a search engine.

🔍 Breaking up Google’s search monopoly: The DOJ has some remedies lined up: Forcing Google to share its data with competitors, restricting those default search browser deals, and even splitting off Chrome or Android. Google says these “solutions” would hurt consumers (their cash cow) and stifle innovation. Google might become like Ask Jeeves by the time this government legal battle is settled.

Trivia

Let’s flash back to 1990, when the first internet search engine was released. Was it called … A.) WebCrawler, B.) Archie, C.) AltaVista or D.) Lycos?

Find the answer here!

$20 billion 

Google Chrome’s estimated value on the open market. In August, a judge ruled Google is monopolizing web search. Selling Chrome is one way to fix that big problem. With 3 billion monthly users and a 61% market share, it’s a behemoth. Microsoft Bing could go out with a bang!

Fix your website! 4 ways to get more people to your site using SEO

A savvy business owner knows the value of website optimization. In today’s cutthroat digital marketplace, an SEO-friendly website with solid keyword research, meta tags, good page speed and backlinks helps you stand out. If you want to know how to improve search engine rankings for small business websites, you’ve come to the right place.

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Told ya this was going to happen: Google Search is losing money with so many of us relying on ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity and other AI bots instead. Now, Google’s serving up AI search results with a twist — ads. You’ll see “sponsored” next to the content. Say you search for “how to get grass stains out of jeans.” Along with the tips, Google will display ads for cleaning products. Be careful where you click.

Storing cash in Venmo or Cash App? Your wallet's in danger

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Unlike the money in your bank, you can lose your funds sitting in these apps. Plus, a hacker found thousands of big biz secrets, a new Amazon scam is spreading, and ChatGPT teases a search engine.

💸 This is funny: Microsoft wanted to give Apple their search site, Bing, for free. Apple said no thanks because Bing sucks and doesn’t generate enough ad revenue. Instead, Apple paid Google $22 billion so their search engine would be the default on iPhones. Microsoft should’ve called theirs Bang instead of Bing; all the guys would’ve been able to say, “Hey, I Banged Margot Robbie and a few other hotties last night.”

🔍 How do you spell monopoly? G-O-O-G-L-E: A federal judge ruled it was illegal for Google to pay $26 billion for other web browsers and phone manufacturers to make it their default search engine (paywall link). How to fix this mess? Make Google’s parent company, Alphabet, sell off Google or invalidate the illegal payoff and let manufacturers select their own search engines.

Trivia

In 1999, Larry Page almost sold Google before the deal fell through. Terms included 1% of search engine Excite and how much money? Was it … A.) $750,000, B.) $1.5 million, C.) $3 million or D.) $10 million?

Find the answer here!

Google filters out Trump

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The search engine giant claims they’re filtering out political violence, but could there be more to the story? Get the scoop in this short podcast.

Trivia

Google is still the most-visited website in the world. What’s No. 2? Is it … A.) Facebook, B.) YouTube, C.) Wikipedia or D.) Chinese search engine Baidu?

Find the answer here!

Just the facts, ma’am: Consensus is an AI search engine for finding gems in research papers. A free account includes unlimited searches. Neat!

Google is so dead: OpenAI plans to release its own search engine as early as May 9. They want to steal Google’s thunder ahead of its upcoming developer conference, where they’re making big AI announcements. I love the drama. When companies beef, we all win.

Never Google these 3 things

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Should you always trust the first result on a search engine page? Here’s why you should practice caution. 

Ask Me(ta) anything: Meta just added its AI chatbot to the search bar on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Ask it anything you’d ask a search engine. Google Search is so dead. Access Meta’s chatbot without logging in at meta.ai.

Ads are coming: Perplexity, the AI search engine backed by Jeff Bezos and other big-name investors, will soon slip in ads where you’re most likely to click — on “related questions” that make up 40% of queries. Pay attention: The web as we know it is completely changing.