When ChatGPT was introduced in late 2022, it quickly gained popularity due to its ability to provide conversational and concise answers to any question. However, one major drawback was its lack of access to current information. This gap was filled by the emergence of AI-powered search engines. Major search engines like Google and Bing integrated generative AI into their platforms to offer up-to-date conversational answers sourced from the internet. Other companies, such as Perplexity AI, also entered the market, developing AI search engines from scratch to compete with the established giants.
As competition grew, ChatGPT introduced a web-browsing feature, allowing it to function as a search engine. Different AI search engines offer similar basic services but vary in execution, including user interfaces, search results, and suggestions. To help users choose the best AI search engine, ZDNET tested and provided detailed reviews of the top tools available in 2024.
Perplexity AI was hailed as the best AI search engine overall, offering a unique interface that blends the best features of AI chatbots and search engines. Perplexity provides prompt suggestions based on current events and delivers conversational, concise AI-generated answers with footnotes and website links. It also includes a “related” section for further discovery, making it a comprehensive and compelling tool.
ChatGPT, with its familiar interface and real-time information from the web, is a great option for users who enjoy the experience of using an AI chatbot. However, this feature requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Microsoft Bing integrated its AI chatbot, Copilot, into its search engine, providing high-quality responses and AI insights directly in search results. Google and You.com also offer unique AI search experiences tailored to Google users and those looking for variety in AI models, respectively. Brave Search, another AI search engine, provides a different approach to displaying search results, focusing on conversational responses with added footnotes and images.
Overall, the best AI search engine for users will depend on personal preferences, including the interface, search results, and additional features offered by each tool.