The ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension is an official OpenAI tool. It changes your browser’s default search engine to ChatGPT, allowing you to search directly from the address bar. Instead of traditional search results, you receive answers in a conversational format, often with links to web sources.
ChatGPT, built on a version of GPT-4o, uses natural language processing—a technology that lets computers understand human language.
The extension fetches real-time data, such as news, sports scores, or stock quotes, from third-party providers and OpenAI’s partners. It supports conversational search, meaning it remembers the context of your previous questions for follow-up queries.
How to Install the ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension
You can set up the extension by following these steps:
1) Visit the Chrome Web Store
Open Google Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store.
2) Add the Extension
Click the “Add to Chrome” button. A pop-up will confirm that “ChatGPT Search has been added to Chrome.” The extension then installs automatically.
3) Set ChatGPT as Your Default Search Engine
The extension automatically changes your default search engine to ChatGPT. To make the extension icon visible, click the puzzle-piece icon in Chrome’s top-right corner. Then, click the pin next to “ChatGPT Search” to turn it blue.
Ensure your Chrome browser is up to date, as older versions may not support the extension fully. The installation is free, but you need to meet certain requirements to use it.
What You Need to Use the Extension
To use the ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension, you must be logged in to chatgpt.com.
This applies even though, as of February 5, 2025, OpenAI allows web searches on chatgpt.com without an account. The extension’s description in the Chrome Web Store still lists a login as a requirement, suggesting it relies on account-based features.
Logging in enables personalized search results and access to features like conversation history. Initially, ChatGPT search was limited to paid subscribers, but since December 16, 2024, all logged-in users, including those on free accounts, can use it in supported regions. If you prefer not to log in, you can use ChatGPT search on the website instead.
How to Use the ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension
Once installed and logged in, type your query into Chrome’s address bar. The extension will process it through ChatGPT, delivering an answer with links to relevant sources. This is useful for time-sensitive queries, like checking current news or stock prices.
Switch to Google Search When Needed
If you want to use Google instead, type “!g” followed by your query (e.g., “!g weather”). This redirects your search to Google, giving you flexibility to choose between search engines.
Use Conversational Search
The extension supports conversational search, where it retains the context of your previous queries. For example, if you ask, “What’s the weather in Seattle?” and then type, “What should I wear?” it will respond based on the weather context.
This feature mimics a dialogue, unlike traditional search engines.
Key Features of the ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension
Here’s a summary of the extension’s main features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Default search engine | Sets ChatGPT as your default, letting you search via the address bar. |
| Account requirement | Requires login to chatgpt.com for full functionality. |
| Redirect option | Type “!g [query]” to switch to Google search. |
| Real-time answers | Provides current info with links to sources like news and sports scores. |
| Conversational search | Remembers context for follow-up questions, creating a dialogue-like experience. |
Recent Changes and Important Notes
Some discussions label the extension as a search hijacker because it changes Chrome settings to route searches through ChatGPT. This has raised privacy concerns, as OpenAI uses search data to improve its models.
How it Compares to Other Extensions
Other Chrome extensions, like “ChatGPT for Google,” show ChatGPT responses alongside traditional search results.
These support multiple AI models, such as GPT-4, Google Bard, and Claude, but differ from the official ChatGPT Search Chrome Extension, which focuses on replacing your default search engine.
Be cautious of fake extensions, as past incidents, like one removed in March 2023 for phishing, highlight the need to download only from the Chrome Web Store.
Using AI Mode for Searches
With AI Mode turned on, you can now use ChatGPT Search directly from your browser’s address bar:
- Click the address bar at the top of your browser.
- Type your query (e.g., “What is the capital of France?”) and press Enter.
- The browser will redirect to chatgpt.com, where ChatGPT Search will process your query and provide an AI-generated response, often with cited sources and conversational follow-up options.
- To refine your search, ask follow-up questions directly in the ChatGPT interface, leveraging its ability to maintain context.
Toggle AI Mode On or Off (Optional)
If you wish to temporarily disable AI Mode without uninstalling the extension:
- In Google Chrome:
- Return to “Settings” > “Search engine” > “Manage search engines and site search.”
- Change the default search engine back to your preferred alternative (e.g., Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo).
- To re-enable AI Mode, repeat Step 3 and set “ChatGPT Search” as the default again.
- In Microsoft Edge:
- Return to “Settings” > “Privacy, search, and services” > “Address bar and search.”
- Change the search engine dropdown back to your preferred alternative.
- To re-enable AI Mode, select “ChatGPT Search” again in the dropdown.
Alternatively, you can disable the extension entirely by clicking the extension icon in the toolbar, selecting “Manage extensions,” and toggling it off.
This allows you to switch between AI Mode and traditional search without changing settings repeatedly.
Important Notes
- Accuracy: ChatGPT Search is designed to provide fast, accurate, and conversational responses, often with links to sources. However, as an AI-driven tool, it may occasionally produce errors or incomplete information.
Always verify critical information, especially for important or controversial topics, using authoritative sources. - Browser Limitations: The ChatGPT Search extension is currently limited to Chromium-based browsers. It does not work natively with browsers like Safari or Firefox, though Firefox users can add ChatGPT Search as a custom search engine manually (not via the extension). Safari does not support ChatGPT Search as a default search engine option at this time.
- Performance Considerations: Using browser extensions can increase resource usage, potentially slowing down your browser. If you experience performance issues, consider disabling the extension when not in use or limiting the number of active extensions.
