ChatGPT search review

ChatGPT search adds the open web to the assistant many people already use daily. OpenAI's help center says ChatGPT can search the web on its own when a question benefits from current information, or you can start a search from the tools menu or by typing / in the composer. Answers may include citations that open the source, the Sources panel lists cited pages and other relevant links, and on desktop web you can hover over a citation to preview it. It also uses general location from your IP address for local results such as restaurants, news and weather, and mobile results can include a map. Search is available on Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu, and people who are not signed in can use it too. Go costs $8 a month in the US. The catches: searches count toward plan limits, OpenAI warns citations can be wrong, and ads may appear on Free and Go in the US.

Who it is for

People who already use ChatGPT and want web answers in the same chat.

Price

Free plan; ChatGPT Go $8 a month in the US; Plus $20 a month; Pro $200 a month.

In the US, Go is available for $8 per month.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Searches the web automatically when a question needs current information
• Citations you can select to open, with previews on desktop web
• A Sources panel listing cited sources and other relevant links
• Local results for restaurants, news and weather based on general location
• Maps for relevant results on iOS and Android

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Web search works on every plan and even without signing in
• Strength: Answers sit in the same chat as writing and analysis
• Strength: Available on web, desktop and mobile apps
• Weakness: Searches count against your plan's usage limits
• Weakness: OpenAI says results and citations can be incomplete, outdated or incorrect
• Weakness: The free tier and Go may include ads in the US

Key facts

• Plans with search: Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, Edu
• Manual trigger: Tools menu or type / and choose Search
• Go price: $8 a month in the US

Where it ranks

ChatGPT search is No. 3 in our Best AI Search Engines verdict.