Why NOT to use ChatGPT instead of Google? Pros and cons, and a look into the future.
I’ve been creating content for over 15 years, so the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) seemed overwhelming to me, with addictive and fascinating aspects and huge risks. I’ve been asked many times in training sessions and conferences whether it’s better to use ChatGPT instead of Google. What’s the truth?
I’m going to be as impartial as possible.
The current paradigm of AI in searches
Every week, news breaks that makes us realize how savage and merciless the advancement of AI is compared to our ability to adapt to it. Just today, we learned that Google is incorporating its Gemini 2.0 model into its search engine to provide richer answers in the form of conversational summaries, opting for AI Mode.
This improvement aims to strengthen Google’s competitiveness against rivals like ChatGPT and Perplexity by offering instant insights. Google noted that the AI’s initial errors and hallucinations are likely.
Fortunately, only Google One AI Premium subscribers will have access for now, and I emphasize fortunately because the move has raised concerns among online media publishers who rely on search traffic for advertising revenue, as AI summaries could reduce clicks on traditional links, despite Google’s claims to the contrary.
In this sense, the issue is not minor… But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, let’s take it step by step. As of today, is it better to use ChatGPT instead of Google?
For decades, Google has been the primary gateway to knowledge on the internet. However, language models like ChatGPT have begun to offer an interactive and conversational alternative to traditional search. Gen Z, for example, no longer uses Google for generic questions; they turn to ChatGPT.
However, this transformation raises a key question: Can we use ChatGPT instead of Google as our primary search channel? We’ll explore the pros and cons of both platforms, their impact on content creation, and where the future of internet search is headed.
Change in search behavior
Historically, search engines have worked by indexing millions of web pages and organizing them into a list of results based on relevance. This model has allowed users to choose from a variety of sources and verify information for themselves.
On the other hand, using ChatGPT instead of Google offers a different experience:
- Direct, conversational responses, eliminating the need to review multiple links.
- Information synthesis, collecting data from different sources and presenting it in a structured manner.
- More intuitive interaction, allowing follow-up questions to refine the response.
This change might seem like a positive move to abandon Google for ChatGPT, but… this AI isn’t always the best option. Let’s take a closer look.
Cases where ChatGPT is a better option
While Google remains the standard, there are situations where using ChatGPT instead of Google is more convenient:
| Use case | Advantage of ChatGPT |
|---|---|
| Explanations of complex concepts | Presents information in simple and structured language. |
| Content generation | Helps you create texts, summaries, emails, and more. |
| Conversational search | Answer questions in context and allow follow-up without reformulating searches. |
| Trend and data analysis | Synthesizes information from multiple sources and presents key insights. |
| Technical support and productivity assistant | Provides specific solutions based on detailed instructions. |
However, using ChatGPT instead of Google is NOT ideal in all cases, especially when recent and verified information is required.
Situations where Google is still superior
Despite the advantages of AI models, Google still has features that make it indispensable in many contexts:
- Source verification: Google provides access to multiple websites, allowing users to compare and validate information for themselves.
- Real-time updates: ChatGPT is limited in its ability to access the most recent information, while Google is continuously indexing content.
- Specializing in certain types of searches: For technical queries, official documents, breaking news, or scientific research, Google is still the best option.
- Greater reliability: AI models can generate incorrect or biased information, while Google allows you to evaluate the credibility of each source.
While using ChatGPT instead of Google is useful for certain tasks, relying solely on AI without verifying data from reliable sources can be risky.
The Future of Search: Hybrid Models?
The debate over whether language models will replace Google ignores a much more likely possibility: the convergence of both models into a hybrid system.
What would these hybrid systems look like?
- Generative answers with links: Google is already incorporating AI into its search results, offering direct answers alongside verified sources. We mentioned this at the beginning of this article when we mentioned how Google has just incorporated Gemini 2.0 into its search engine to provide even more comprehensive answers.
- Advanced conversational search: Search engines may allow follow-up questions and automatic query reformulation. See Perplexity.
- User Personalization: Combining AI models’ knowledge with browsing history could provide more relevant and contextualized responses.
Perplexity AI uses this hybrid model, combining answer generation with links to verifiable sources. However, let’s be honest… if the AI gives you the answer, who’s going to click on the links?
Impact on content creation and SEO
If search engines evolve toward hybrid models that provide comprehensive answers without requiring users to visit the sources, content creators face a huge challenge.
Why keep creating content if no one clicks on the links?
- Loss of web traffic: Publishers and news sites rely on traffic to monetize their content through ads or subscriptions.
- Monetization Change: If full answers are generated through search engines, content creators will have to find new ways to fund themselves, such as subscription models or sponsorships.
- Revaluation of exclusivity: Unique and high-value content will have a greater chance of being viewed in its original source.
- AI-Enhanced SEO: Search engine optimization will need to evolve so that sites are recognized as trustworthy sources by AI models.
Content creators will need to find innovative ways to stay relevant, prioritizing authority, exclusivity, and interactive formats.
Is it feasible to use ChatGPT instead of Google?
The comparison between ChatGPT and Google shouldn’t be seen as a binary competition, but rather as an evolution in the way we access information. The trend is toward hybrid models where:
- Google will continue to be key to verifying and delving into information.
- ChatGPT and other AI models will be used for rapid search, content generation, and conversational assistance.
- Search engines will adopt AI to improve the user experience, integrating direct answers with verifiable references.
For users, this means that the future of search isn’t about choosing between Google or ChatGPT but rather using both tools strategically based on needs. For content creators, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity to adapt to a constantly evolving digital ecosystem.
Knowledge is not found in a single source, but in how we combine the tools available to access it.
The only sure thing is that if your content is average and duplicable by AI, then you’re in trouble.
