ChatGPT Search vs. Perplexity: The New Era of AI-Powered Search Engines

The world of search is undergoing a dramatic transformation with the emergence of AI-powered search engines. Two notable contenders in this arena are ChatGPT Search and Perplexity. Both leverage the power of large language models to deliver a more conversational and informative search experience. But how do they stack up against each other?

Speed and Information Presentation

Both ChatGPT Search and Perplexity exhibit impressive speed in retrieving search results. However, they differ in how they present information. Perplexity consistently provides more comprehensive and well-structured answers, incorporating various content types, clear source citations, and contextual details. This approach creates a more informative and trustworthy user experience. In contrast, ChatGPT Search often delivers shorter, more direct answers with less contextual depth. While this can be advantageous for quick information retrieval, it may leave users wanting more in-depth explanations. Here's the result of the query:

What are the pros and cons of conversational search?

1. Perplexity's Answer

Conversational search has emerged as a significant advancement in information retrieval technology, offering both benefits and challenges. Let's explore the pros and cons of this innovative approach to search:

2. Search GPT's Answer:

Conversational search, which enables users to interact with search systems through natural language dialogues, offers several advantages and disadvantages:

Accuracy

I couldn't help asking both search engines for information about myself. Knowing of several namesakes I was wondering if Search GPT and Perplexity could provide the correct information when I narrowed down the search query:

Martin Treiber Graz

1. Perplexity's Answer:

Martin Treiber is a notable figure associated with technology and data processing in Graz, Austria. He operates IKANGAI e.U., a company specializing in automated data processing and information technology services.

2. Search GPT's Answer:

Martin Johannes Treiber is an IT professional based in Graz, Austria. He is the founder of IKANGAI, a company specializing in automated data processing and information technology services. The company is located at Blütengasse 8, 8010 Graz, Austria. (Ikangai)

The accuracy of Perplexity is a bit inconsistent. It stumbled a bit, incorrectly merging the information about another Martin Treiber into the search result (fun fact: this also happened to a human editor that mistook me for another Martin Treiber). Other than that, Perplexity's answer is definitely satisfying. ChatGPT Search on the other hand was more accurate and provided accurate information, but with fewer details.

Search Methodology: Web Search vs. Internal Knowledge

A key difference lies in their search methodology. Perplexity appears to rely consistently on web searches to formulate its responses. This approach, while sometimes limiting its ability to provide real-time information, reduces the likelihood of hallucinations. Conversely, ChatGPT Search appears to alternate between accessing its internal knowledge base and conducting web searches. This hybrid approach, while potentially faster, can lead to inaccuracies when it relies solely on potentially outdated internal information.

Real-Time Data: ChatGPT Search Takes the Lead

When it comes to real-time data, ChatGPT Search demonstrates a clear advantage. It successfully retrieved up-to-date stock information, citing Investors Business Daily as its source. Perplexity, on the other hand, acknowledged its limitations in accessing real-time stock market data. This difference likely stems from ChatGPT Search's strategic partnerships with various content providers, enabling it to tap into live information feeds.

Overall: A Tight Race with Distinct Strengths

Both ChatGPT Search and Perplexity present compelling alternatives to traditional search engines. Their ability to understand natural language queries and deliver conversational responses offers a refreshing user experience. While Perplexity excels in providing comprehensive and well-sourced information, ChatGPT Search demonstrates an edge in speed and real-time data retrieval.