ChatGPT search, a feature within OpenAI's popular chatbot that incorporates up-to-date web information into its responses, is experiencing rapid growth in Europe. According to a recent report filed by OpenAI Ireland Limited, the feature had approximately 41.3 million monthly active "recipients" for the six-month period ending March 31, 2025. This represents a significant increase from the 11.2 million average monthly active recipients reported for the six-month period ending October 31, 2024.

This growth is notable not only for its pace but also for its potential implications. Under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), online platforms or search engines with over 45 million average monthly recipients are considered "very large" and are subject to additional regulatory requirements. These requirements include allowing users to opt out of recommendation systems and profiling, sharing certain data with researchers and authorities, and performing external auditing. If ChatGPT search continues to grow at its current rate, it may soon be subject to these requirements.

The DSA defines monthly active recipients as individuals who engage with the service at least once in a given period of time, either by viewing or listening to information disseminated on the online platform or by providing information. OpenAI regularly publishes information on ChatGPT search to comply with the DSA, providing insight into the feature's growing popularity in Europe.

ChatGPT search has been making inroads against incumbent search engines like Google since its debut last year. According to a September poll, 8% of respondents said they would choose ChatGPT over Google as their primary search engine. While Google remains the dominant online search tool, handling an estimated 373 times more searches than ChatGPT, the growth of ChatGPT search is a significant development in the search engine landscape.

However, researchers have raised concerns about the reliability of ChatGPT search and other AI-powered search engines. One study found that ChatGPT incorrectly identified 67% of searched-for articles, while another study highlighted accuracy problems related to ChatGPT's treatment of news content, including content from publishers with which OpenAI has licensing agreements. These findings underscore the need for continued improvement and oversight in the development of AI-powered search engines.

The rapid growth of ChatGPT search in Europe has significant implications for the tech industry and beyond. As AI-powered search engines continue to evolve and improve, they are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping our online experiences and interactions. As regulatory bodies like the EU continue to grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies, it will be essential to strike a balance between promoting innovation and protecting users' rights and interests.

In the coming months, it will be worth watching to see whether ChatGPT search continues to grow at its current pace and what implications this may have for OpenAI, the EU, and the broader tech industry. As the boundaries between search engines, chatbots, and other online platforms continue to blur, it is clear that the future of online search is being shaped by AI-powered technologies like ChatGPT search.