The Meteoric Rise of Conversational Search

ChatGPT Search, OpenAI‘s research tool, has rapidly gained traction in Europe since its launch. The platform boasted an impressive average of 41.3 million monthly active users in the six months leading up to March 31, 2025. This represents a considerable leap from the 11.2 million users recorded in the period ending October 31, 2024, demonstrating a clear appetite among Europeans for this novel approach to online details retrieval.

This surge in popularity underscores a shift in user preferences towards more intuitive and conversational search experiences. Unlike traditional search engines that require users to sift through endless pages of results, ChatGPT Search offers direct, synthesized answers to user queries, mimicking a conversation with a knowledgeable expert.

EU’s Digital Services Act: A Regulatory Hurdle

Though,this rapid growth has not gone unnoticed by European regulators. The European Union’s Digital Services act (DSA) aims to establish a safer and more obvious online environment.This legislation imposes strict obligations on online platforms, notably concerning data clarity, user protection, and adherence to specific operational standards.

The DSA’s impact is tiered, with the most stringent requirements applying to “Very large Online Platforms” (VLOPs)—those exceeding 45 million monthly active users. Given its current growth trajectory, ChatGPT Search is poised to enter this category, potentially triggering a new level of regulatory oversight.

Understanding the DSA’s Implications

The DSA defines an active monthly user as anyone who has viewed or shared content on a platform at least once during the month. Once a platform surpasses the 45 million user threshold, it is indeed designated as a VLOP, subjecting it to a more rigorous regulatory framework.This includes mandatory external audits, data sharing with researchers, and the provision for users to disable personalized recommendations.

Failure to comply with the DSA can result in critically important financial penalties,potentially reaching up to 6% of a company’s global turnover. For a company like OpenAI, this could translate into hundreds of millions of euros. In cases of persistent non-compliance, the EU could even temporarily suspend ChatGPT Search’s operations within Europe.

Furthermore,studies have raised concerns about the reliability of ChatGPT Search results. Reports indicate that a significant percentage of information retrieved through the platform might potentially be poorly sourced or inaccurately identified. The tool also faces challenges in distinguishing between credible and false information, even with partnerships with established news publishers.

ChatGPT Search vs. Google: An Ongoing Battle

Despite these challenges, ChatGPT Search is gradually carving out its market share. A survey conducted in September 2024 revealed that approximately 8% of respondents preferred using ChatGPT Search over Google as their primary search engine. While Google remains the dominant player, processing considerably more searches, this 8% represents a notable shift in user preferences.

The appeal of ChatGPT Search lies in its conversational approach, which offers users the experience of interacting with an expert rather than navigating a complex web of links. This conversational paradigm aligns with the growing demand for more intuitive and personalized online experiences.

As users explore alternatives to traditional search engines, ChatGPT Search and other AI-powered tools are poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of online information retrieval.The ongoing competition between these platforms will likely drive further innovation and refinement in the search landscape.