OpenAI Search Volume Reaches 20 Percent of Google

OpenAI announced that the volume of search-like queries processed by ChatGPT has reached approximately 20 percent of the volume handled by Google. OpenAI consumer product lead Adam Fry defined these as queries resulting in a web search rather than simple definitions or explanations.

To increase profitability before a potential initial public offering early next year, OpenAI is expanding its advertising model to include images of sponsored products and services. Fry stated that ads have not negatively impacted product usage and suggested that the company could be doing more with them. OpenAI is also developing an Intelligent UI to create visual and interactive interfaces, which Fry described as the future of the technology.

Google continues to dominate the market, though it previously issued a code red in 2022 following the emergence of ChatGPT. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has argued that the rise of AI chatbots does not necessarily represent a zero-sum game for search volume, noting that while chatbots have scaled to millions of users, Google has also grown in queries.